Applications Of The Nudge Theory In The Support Of Children In Difficulty

Children are a vulnerable group of population due to their need of support in meeting their fundamental needs. Their welfare depends on one side on the influence of environment where they live and on another side - on their own choices, on the behavior they manifest. In the behavioral school of economic thought it’s considered that children behaviors, especially those in difficult situations, can be influenced to produce desirable results in the increase of their welfare. Children in difficulty are a vulnerable group that would benefit from the approaches to the socioeconomic support provided by the behavioral economics. The child behavior study in behavioral economics developed at the intersection of economics with development psychology. Nudge theory is one of the main behavioral economics’ directions that could offer insights in order to support children in difficulty. The paper aim is to identify good practices based on the principles of nudge theory that are tailored and applied to address socioeconomic challenges of children in difficulty. The work was developed within the framework of Subprogram 030101 „Strengthening the resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability of the economy of the Republic of Moldova in the context of the accession process to the European Union”, institutional funding.