7 March 2025

The co-creating research sought to examine the health and capacity of four regional networks (RNs) dedicated to early childhood development (ECD)- The African Early Childhood Network (AfECN), Arab Network for Early Childhood (ANECD), Asia Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC), and International Step by Step Association (ISSA)– to support their strategic goals and asses how their collective capacities drive meaningful impact.

1) The Co- Creative Process

The research employed a co-creative approach, ensuring culturally relevant data and tools empowering networks to take ownership. It focused on network health, encompassing material resources, internal systems, and the ability to create joint value. The study also adopted Network Impact’s Scorecard to better align with regional ECD priorities, providing actionable feedback for network improvement.

• Feedback on Secretariat Capacities: RN’s collected feedback on Secretariat capacities and identified specific regional needs. For instance, ANECD developed a new Secretariat capacity aimed at driving impact by supporting national networks and leveraging their strengths for policy advocacy.
• Tailored Language: RN’s customized language to ensure that statements on network capacity resonated with members and addresses regional challenges effectively.
• Shared Priority Capacities: Six core capacities were identified as critical for advancing ECD goals across all RNs, emphasizing member connectivity, collaboration, and policy influence.
  2) Generating Impact
• Surveys and Feedback: Surveys gathered insights from 125 members and partners across 62 countries, reflecting on network capacities and how engagement contributed to both individual and collective regional impact.
• Reported Impacts: Key impacts included strengthened member and partner capacities, expanded network influence, and enhanced national- level capabilities.
• Policy and System Impact: Significant achievements included fostering a shared understanding of ECD, improving access to quality services, and utilizing joint research to inform policy and practice reforms.
• Focus on National Networks: Strengthening national networks emerged as a pivotal strategy for driving direct policy and systems change at the grassroots level.
  
  3) Crisis as the New Normal
  

• Adaptability in Crisis: RNs demonstrated resilience by adapting to conflict and climate crises while balancing long-term strategies with immediate responses.
• War in Gaza: ANECD mobilized regional support for Palestinian children facing violence, destruction, and malnutrition. When asked about balancing the tension between implementing strategies and supporting members and partners in crisis without derailing progress—especially as the conflict moved to Lebanon—ANECD’s coordinator, Mohamad Albekaai, responded:
  What we have understood during the past
  year is that crisis should not only be an
  important and big chapter of our strategy,
  unfortunately it should be what directs the
  strategy overall. So that would be the
  default setting, to build a strategy that
  responds to crises because they are multi-
  dimensional across the region and vary
  from one country to another.
• Climate Disaster: ARNEC addresses the devastating impacts of Pakistan’s 2022 floods and focused on extreme flood risks in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Crisis Response Impact: RNs showcased their ability to pivot swiftly and effectively in crisis situations, underscoring their critical role in emergency response.

Responding to Crisis:

• War in Gaza: ANECD organized a symposium to share best practices and mobilize regional support for Palestinian children.
• Climate Change: ARNEC prioritized emergency responses and conducted studies to mitigate climate-related impacts on children in Pakistan.
  
  4) Looking Ahead
  
• Aligning Capacities: AfECN plans to enhance sub-regional coordination to bolster network support.
• Support for National Networks: RNs will prioritize strengthening national networks to amplify their policy influence and impact tracking. Accordingly, ANECD plans to build the capacity of national networks to drive policy and programmatic changes, ultimately enhancing the overall network’s capacity for impact. The network will leverage both ANECD’s and national networks’ channels to policymaking and program design while intentionally tracking impact to assess the effectiveness of strategies.
• Membership Diversity: RNs aim to harness the diversity of their membership as a strategic asset for greater collective impact.
• Coordination and Connectivity: RNs will focus on improving coordination and connectivity, particularly in crisis response efforts.