As many as 123 students from 18 national education establishments became scholars within the project “Additional Scholarships for Young People from Disadvantaged Families”, the 2012 edition. The scholars come together for a solemn ceremony staged by the Educational Advising Center on December 10, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Center’s director Angela Muset said that this year’s contest involved 192 students. After assessing them, there were selected 123 finalists. Eighteen students benefited from annual scholarships of US$1,500, 26 students – of US$1,000, while 79 students – of US$500. Angela Muset said that the target group of the initiative is the young people from deprived families who do not have access to educational services of a high quality, come from families on low incomes or with many children, are orphans or under guardianship, or are disabled. “During the three years of project implementation, we aimed to contribute to reducing the unequal access to education of the socially disadvantaged young people, offering them the necessary financial and informational support,” she stated. Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga said that the future of these children is in fact Moldova’s future and the extent to which Moldova will be developed depends on the capacity of the authorities and other players to support the young people. “I approve of the effort made by you in showing your abilities and capacities to learn,” she stated. Deputy Minister of Education Loretta Handrabura said that investments are needed while the person studies and forms as a professional, supplementing their professional competencies and developing the general abilities. The project “Additional Scholarships for Young People from Disadvantaged Families” was launched in April 2010 by the Educational Advising Center and is organized with financial support from the Emergency Fund/ Open Society Foundations. At national level, it is administered by Soros Foundation Moldova and supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family.