ECD Platform — A Catalyst for Change in Early Childhood Development
The Places to Grow program organized an insightful roundtable discussion focused on the successes and challenges of the Early Childhood Development Platform in the Czech Republic (ECD Platform). The ECD Platform, operating as an independent NGO since 2023, has been working tirelessly to improve the quality of early care services for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and their families. The discussion featured three expert panelists: Kateřina Sirotková (Open Society Fund Prague), Lucie Plešková (UNICEF), and Miroslav Klempár (Awen Amenca and ECD Platform board member), with Maxim Dedushkov as the moderator.
What is the ECD Platform?
The panelists provided an in-depth introduction to the ECD Platform. Established in 2020, the platform aims to ensure that every child in the Czech Republic has the opportunity to fully develop their potential, regardless of their environment. The ECD Platform focuses on improving the quality of early childhood development support, fostering cooperation among organizations, promoting best practices, and advocating for the best interest and rights of all children.
Key Insights and Takeaways:
1. The Key to Success — Collaboration: The ECD Platform’s achievements are deeply rooted in robust collaboration between diverse stakeholders, such as small and large NGOs, government agencies, private sector collaborators, and representatives from the Roma community. The panelists underscored the significance of cultivating partnerships, nurturing relationships, and facilitating spaces and opportunities for shared learning. This approach encourages heightened member involvement, ultimately fostering a sustainable and inclusive ECD ecosystem.
Kateřina Sirotková: “The ECD Platform is a living example of the power of collaboration. When organizations come together, they can create a much greater impact than if they were working individually.”
2. Addressing systemic challenges: The panelists identified systemic challenges in the Czech Republic that disproportionately affect children from marginalized communities, including unequal access to quality education, healthcare, and social services. This approach disrupts the traditional perception of ECD as formal preschool education only and promotes the whole child development approach. The ECD Platform tackles these issues by advocating for policy changes and implementing targeted interventions.
Lucie Plešková: “One of the main barriers to quality ECD services for disadvantaged children is the lack of a systematic approach to early childhood development. To tackle this issue, the ECD Platform is dedicatedly advocating for bridging the gaps in legislation and policies.”
3. Developing a unified vision and strategic framework: The panelists discussed the need for a shared vision, values, and working framework among ECD organizations. OSF Prague has facilitated the development of such a framework, enhancing the capacity and quality of ECD organizations through professional development, peer learning, technical support, and quality standards.
Miroslav Klempár: “A clear and unified vision, values, and working framework are essential for the success of any ECD initiative. With the support of the OSF Prague, we’ve been able to develop a shared vision that has improved our ability to deliver quality ECD services to children and families in need.”
4. Learning from successes and challenges: The panelists shared their experiences in establishing and running the ECD Platform, emphasizing the importance of learning from both successes and challenges. They highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation, as well as a willingness to adapt and innovate in response to changing circumstances.
Miroslav Klempár: “We need to be open to learning from our experiences and adapting our strategies accordingly. The ECD Platform has evolved over time, and we are continually refining our approach to better serve the needs of children and families.”
5. Amplifying the impact of ECD organizations: The panelists underscored the importance of joint activities at the national and international level to amplify the voice and impact of ECD organizations. Such activities include advocating for ECD policies and rights, communicating with NGOs and policymakers, fundraising and grant-making for ECD projects, and implementing individual projects tailored to the unique needs and challenges of early childhood development.
Lucie Plešková: “By working together at the national and international level, we can amplify the impact of our individual efforts and drive meaningful change for children and families. Joint advocacy and collaboration are essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable ECD landscape.”
Conclusion:
The roundtable discussion on the ECD Platform in the Czech Republic provided valuable insights into the successes and challenges of establishing and operating a collaborative platform dedicated to early childhood development. The key takeaways from the event highlight the importance of collaboration, addressing systemic challenges, developing a unified vision and framework, learning from successes and challenges, and amplifying the impact of ECD organizations through national and international cooperation.
The ECD Platform serves as a prime example of the power of collective action in driving positive change for children and families in need. By deepening our understanding of the ECD Platform’s impact and exploring ways to support early childhood development initiatives in our own communities, we can contribute to a brighter and more equitable future for all children.
For member organizations of the Places to Grow program, the experiences shared by the panelists offer valuable lessons and inspiration for further collaboration and innovation in the field of early childhood development. For potential donors, the ECD Platform’s successes and ongoing efforts demonstrate the tremendous impact that can be achieved through targeted investments in ECD initiatives. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children and families across the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and beyond.
Read more about Places to Grow program. To get in touch write to maxim@weareholis.org
