To watch the recording in English, Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian, Hungarian, or Ukrainian, click here.

To access the new ECD Toolbox, click here. 

Contacts: Mihaela Ionescu mionescu@issa.nl; Vidur Chopra vchopra@unicef.org
 

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.