Research that Informs Action
We know that no single actor can deliver quality early childhood development (ECD) alone. That’s why we prioritize coordination, collaboration, and collective action across sectors, levels, and stakeholders.
Our Coordination & Partnerships work connects the dots between policy, practice, and people; strengthening Uganda’s ECD ecosystem so that it functions as a system.
We serve as a convener, connector, and capacity-builder to align efforts and accelerate impact.
Child-Centered, Community-Driven
Every initiative begins with the child’s needs and is shaped by the voices of parents, caregivers, and local communities.
Equity in Access
We believe every child deserves equal opportunities for development, regardless of background or circumstance.
Continuous Learning & Adaptation
Innovation never stops—we evolve our strategies based on research, feedback, and real-world results.
Data-driven Decisions for Lasting Change
Strengthening Civil Society Collaboration
We anchor and support the Network for Early Childhood Development Actors Uganda, a coalition of NGOs, academic institutions, faith-based organizations, and community actors working across the ECD spectrum. We:
- Facilitate joint strategy, planning and coordination
- Support shared learning and collective advocacy
- Provide a neutral platform for alignment with government and development partners
This space promotes unity of purpose and helps civil society speak with one clear, informed voice for young children.
Multi-Sectoral and Multi-Level Engagement
ECD is inherently multisectoral; touching education, health, nutrition, child protection, gender, and more. We:
- Facilitate cross-sector dialogue between government and partners
- Engage national, district and sub-county level actors to promote coherence in ECD delivery
- Support coordination between policy-level decisions and frontline implementation
Our annual Joint ECD Sector Reviews bring stakeholders together to reflect, plan and hold each other accountable.
District and Community Partnerships
We work with local governments, district technical teams and CSOs to integrate ECD into local planning and budgeting processes.
Through our ECD Local Government Scorecard, we’re benchmarking district performance and promoting peer learning, transparency and citizen engagement.
We also support community-level champions and partnerships, including with parents, youth, cultural leaders, and health workers.
What makes our approach unique?
- Systems thinking: We strengthen the entire ECD ecosystem; not just individual programs
- Bridge-building: We create safe, productive spaces for civil society, government and donors to collaborate
- Grounded in local realities: Our sub-national work ensures policy translates into action
- Focused on sustainability: We’re not just delivering interventions; we’re helping build lasting structures
Recent Output
and Tools
Are you an ECD actor looking to collaborate? Join NECDA
Network for Early Childhood Development Actors Uganda – A growing platform for collective learning and advocacy.
Annual ECD Summit – Aligning actors, tracking progress, planning better.
ECD Local Government Scorecard – Elevating local accountability and innovation.
Evidence for Impact & Advocacy
Our formative research goes beyond data collection—it uncovers the behaviors, challenges, and motivations of the families we serve. This deep understanding allows us to design targeted interventions that drive meaningful behavior change, from improving parenting practices to increasing access to early learning opportunities.
