The Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) is convening global leaders to uncover strategies for fundamentally reshaping how countries finance holistic services and systems for young children.
This Global Technical Financing Forum will be co-hosted by the Government of Rwanda, the Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN), UNESCO, UNICEF, and WHO, in support of the Act for Early Years campaign. We are inviting government representatives, influential leaders, investors, and development partners to gather for a practical, systems-focused discussion on how barriers to financing can be overcome and creative financing solutions can be applied to ensure children receive comprehensive services across sectors in their earliest years of life.
Purpose of the Forum
Despite overwhelming evidence that investments in early childhood yield the highest returns of any social sector, most countries still allocate less than 2% of education budgets to pre-primary, leaving millions of children without the foundation they need to learn, thrive, and contribute to economic growth. This Forum will directly confront that financing gap—elevating the economic case, mobilizing political will, and aligning global partners behind bold, feasible solutions.
Designed as a catalyst for action rather than dialogue, the Forum will:
- Raise awareness: Highlight the economic and social returns of ECD and the critical financing gaps that hinder progress.
- Contribute to global processes: Provide input to the UNESCO/UNICEF/OECD Global Monitoring Report on Early Childhood Care and Education and the Act for Early Years campaign.
- Facilitate policy dialogue: Convene government, academic, civil society, private–sector, and development partners to discuss barriers and opportunities in financing for ECD.
- Promote cross-country learning: Share lessons on effective financing across the public private spectrum.
- Catalyze action: Develop practical tools and recommendations to increase and improve financing for ECD.
The Forum Agenda
The Forum is guided by ECDAN’s Early Years Financing Technical Working Group, which brings together leaders and experts across the field and builds on a broader global roadmap and ongoing efforts by UNICEF, UNESCO, OECD, the World Bank, Grand Challenges Canada, Theirworld, and others to unlock financing for ECD. These efforts, along with the Global Technical Financing Forum, will culminate in first ever International Finance Summit for Early Childhood planned for 2027.
The Forum will be an in-person event that includes:
- Plenary sessions: High-level discussions on global ECD financing trends and challenges
- Panel discussions: Thematic sessions featuring diverse perspectives and case studies
- Workshops: Interactive sessions for stakeholders to co-develop strategies and solutions
- Networking opportunities: Spaces for collaboration and partnership building among participants
The working group has planned the three-day agenda for the Forum, which will cover themes such as framing the investment case, diagnosing system bottlenecks, improving value for money, understanding investment needs, exploring financing models and instruments, coordinating governance of cross-sectoral financing, and strengthening equity and inclusion.
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The Forum Location
The Forum will take place at Kigali’s Sheraton Hotel (KN 3 Ave). Rwanda is becoming well-known for hosting visitors from around the world for global meetings and events. Their hassle-free visa process, beautiful setting, safe environment, and travel options make it an ideal meeting point.
Learn moreThe time to act is now!
This is a pivotal moment to become part of the movement to unlock investment in the early years. Please join us and stay connected as we build momentum to the Forum and beyond by signing up here.
As the Forum is a technical meeting with limited space, participation is by invitation only. However, other opportunities will be provided that involve a broader audience.
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Forum Sponsors
We are grateful to all the partners who have contributed financially to make this event possible.
