How Regional Networks Catalyze Early Childhood Development

Over the last decade, in over a hundred countries across the globe, there has been a dramatic increase in collective capacity for cross-sector work to advance Early Childhood Development (ECD). Critical to this accomplishment have been four regional ECD networks:

Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN)

Arab Network for Early Childhood Development (ANECD)

Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC)

International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

These networks are rights-based, with core operating principles dedicated to quality, equity, diversity, inclusiveness, partnerships and accountability. A new report from Network Impact takes a systematic look at how these networks are collectively positioned to advance early childhood development within the four regions.

The report builds on interviews with political leaders, senior civil servants, INGO’s, academics and heads of national networks.  It identifies the unique advantages of regional networks in the ECD sector, examining how these can be leveraged for increased impact, especially in times of crisis and recovery.

As a result of the significant investment in regional ECD networks to date, all four networks have contributed to outcomes and impacts that have advanced the field. These impacts are not one-time results but rather a foundation for the overall capacity of the ECD sector:

The report presents case studies of how each network leverages network mechanisms to meet national and regional ECD goals; explores how and why the networks are critical for both COVID-19 response and recovery; and identifies opportunities to support regional ECD networks in the future.

Click here for the Full Report and Executive Summary.