You're invited! Join a pivotal webinar, "Empowering Local Governments to Strengthen the Local Early Childhood System," scheduled for July 4th, 11:00-12:15 CET. 

Register now!

Why This Matters: The early years (0-6 years) are foundational for a child's development and future success. Despite many services available for young children and their families, disparities in access and quality persist, particularly affecting the most marginalized. Local governments play a critical role in bridging these gaps and ensuring all children receive timely and responsive support they need to thrive. 

Webinar Highlights: 

• Discover the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Toolbox for local governments, developed by UNICEF and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), designed to enhance local early childhood systems. 
• Engage with representatives from key local authorities across Europe as they share their valuable insights and experiences. 
• Learn about the challenges and opportunities local governments face and how the ECD Toolbox can be a game-changer for giving young children the best start in life. 
• Connect with professionals, policymakers, and local government representatives dedicated to advancing early childhood development. 

Key Objectives: 

• Highlight the pivotal role of local governments in strengthening early childhood systems and services for young children. 
• Promote a comprehensive view of local early childhood systems, integrating various policies, services, and stakeholders. 
• Showcase the ECD Toolbox and its potential to improve coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of early childhood systems. 
• Bridge policy initiatives and local action by featuring the Toolbox's multidimensional capabilities. 

Target Audience: 

• Local Government Representatives (Mayors, Vice Mayors, Council Members) 
• National government representatives working with local authorities 
• Employees in the Mayor’s Office 
• Local Partners and Stakeholders 
• Professionals in Early Childhood Development 
• Policymakers and Researchers 

Agenda: 

• Opening Remarks and Introduction (5 min) - UNICEF and ISSA Representative 
• Introduction to the ECD Toolbox (15 min) - ISSA Representative 
• Panel Discussion (30 min) - Featuring insights from local authority representatives
• Interactive Q&A Session (10 min) - Your chance to engage directly
• Closing Remarks (5 min) - UNICEF and ISSA Representative 

Meet Our Panelists & Discussants: 

• Franca Locati – Head of Project Office Education Department, Municipality of Milan 
• Martina Glasnović – Head of Department Preschool Department, Municipality of Zagreb 
• Cosmina Simean Nicolescu – General Director of Social Assistance, Municipality of Bucharest 
• Judit Szentirmai – Senior Advisor Coordinator of Services for Families and Young Children, Municipality of Budapest
• Stefan Iszkowski - Policy Officer, Social Rights and Inclusion Unit, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your municipality with the tools and knowledge to make a lasting impact on early childhood development. 

Register now! 

P.S. The ECD Toolbox will be shared in advance with registered participants and will also be available on the UNICEF website. Join us to access this invaluable resource!