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Description
The establishment of the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) System requires social dialogue of many stakeholders, as ECI is intersectoral and multidisciplinary, and under the jurisdiction of local, regional and national policies. CSOs have a significant role in advocating for its creation, and CSOs in the county with an below-average development index - Krapina-Zagorje County (KZC) are the main target group. They are few, unconnected, have weak advocacy capacity, and lack knowledge of the fundamentals of modern ECI. Therefore, the goal is (1) to sensitize communities and CSOs to the challenges faced by families in need of ECI (promotional and mobilization activities) so that (2) CSOs jointly launch an advocacy process for creating local, regional and, indirectly, national policie for the creation of better and more comprehensive support for vulnerable children and for the regulatory framework for the cross-sectoral ECI system in the KZC and Croatia.
This goal will be achieved by creating an intersectoral Coalition for ECI and multiplication in the preeschool sector through the Kindergarten Staff Network. They will work in synergy and will be open to new members for the multiplication of results in other LGUs and other counties. The process of empowerment and education for ECI advocacy (workshops) and research using the method of service learning (4 research reports) will enable the Coalition and the Network to elaborate 4 recommendations to LGUs, 2 for county bodies and 1 for the national level in a collaborative way and with mobilization of public to send them to decision makers. The project will strengthen active citizenship and vulnerable groups in KZC, and connect Icelandic and Croatian practice of creating social justice in society.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical issues in Croatia, particularly the lack of an integrated system for early childhood intervention (ECI). Croatia does not have a comprehensive ECI system that includes all necessary components, from early detection to the transition into the school system. This absence has significant repercussions on families with children at developmental risk or with disabilities. Services are fragmented and unevenly distributed across the country, leaving some remote and rural areas without access to these essential services. As a result, families often spend the early years of their child''s life navigating through disconnected systems—healthcare, social services, and early education—searching for the support they need. This process increases parental stress, which negatively impacts the entire family, leading to burnout, health issues, and impaired social functioning, while also hindering the child''s early learning and development of everyday skills.
Moreover, developmental screening, which is crucial for identifying developmental risks or disabilities at an early age, is rarely conducted. This leads to significant delays in obtaining a diagnosis, leaving both the child and the family without support during a critical period. Even when parents receive a written assessment from professionals, clear guidance on the next steps is often missing. Where services do exist, they tend to focus on the child''s weaknesses without recognizing their strengths, and the various interventions are disconnected, with each professional focusing solely on their area of expertise. This lack of a holistic approach, coupled with a tendency to exclude parents from the process, exacerbates the challenges faced by families. In practice, despite legal guarantees of equal rights, non-discrimination, and access to adequate care and education for all children, those at developmental risk or with disabilities often do not receive the support they need. This situation jeopardizes their potential development and results in discrimination based on their developmental challenges.
The project recognized that establishing an ECI system requires social dialogue among various stakeholders, including representatives from civil society, healthcare, social services, early and preschool education, government authorities at different levels, and families. Therefore, the project was essential for initiating dialogue among these stakeholders in the Krapina-Zagorje County, forming the Coalition for Early Childhood Intervention (KRID) and the Network of Kindergarten Workers (MDDV). It also aimed to strengthen their capacities for modern ECI approaches, advocate for these approaches, and, through months of collaboration, develop a joint proposal for establishing an ECI system in the county.
A critical challenge was achieving consensus among stakeholders and engaging decision-makers, particularly at the regional level, where the project saw the best results in forming partnerships and readiness for further steps in implementing recommendations. The project also faced challenges in integrating services across different sectors, such as healthcare, education, and social services, which are governed by different and often unaligned regulations. However, through continuous and open dialogue, education, and workshops, the stakeholders were gradually strengthened in their understanding and application of modern ECI concepts and in advocating for these concepts with decision-makers.
The project also addressed the violation of the rights of children at developmental risk or with disabilities and their families, who often cannot access timely and coordinated early intervention services or appropriate education due to the presence or suspicion of a developmental issue.
The project undertook a variety of activities aimed at enhancing support for families of young children with developmental difficulties and improving advocacy and visibility for these issues. Key events were organized such as a conference, public forum, and roundtable, which raised awareness about the challenges faced by these children. This led to the formation of the Coalition for Early Childhood Intervention (KRID) and the Network of Kindergarten Workers (MDDV), which now work together to advocate for affected families and support early education.
KRID, with 18 experts, and MDDV, with 37 professionals from 18 kindergartens, have formalized their collaboration, broadening the project’s impact. The project also promoted intersectoral cooperation through meetings and workshops, involving professionals and creating research-based policy recommendations. Notable activities included a workshop on developmental assessment, which increased interest and engagement in KRID and MDDV, and various training workshops that improved participants'' skills and understanding.
Additional efforts included organizing a public forum on intergenerational support, producing promotional materials, and conducting policy analysis. Workshops and panel discussions were held to share knowledge and build capacity, with significant increases in participant understanding reported.
The project also worked on creating and implementing recommendations for local governments to improve early childhood intervention services and planned to replicate its model in other regions. Overall, the project successfully raised awareness, built collaborative networks, and provided valuable resources for enhancing support and advocacy for young children with developmental difficulties.
The project successfully engaged 263 participants in activities designed to enhance advocacy and modern approaches in early childhood intervention (ECI). Prior to the project''s implementation, stakeholders in early intervention were isolated, often working within the confines of their own institutions or sectors. The project facilitated the establishment of the Coalition for Early Childhood Intervention (KRID) and the Network of Kindergarten Professionals (MDDV), leading to significant networking and collaboration among diverse sectors and organizations. KRID now has 23 members, including 14 NGOs, and MDDV has 45 members, surpassing initial membership targets and continuing to grow.
Through intensive training and workshops, participants improved their understanding of modern ECI approaches and advocacy skills, resulting in increased motivation for active advocacy and engagement in building an integrated ECI system. Research into the needs of parents of children with developmental difficulties, supporting professionals, and NGOs, combined with the project''s awareness-raising activities, fostered cohesion among specialists like pediatricians, speech therapists, and social workers, focusing on the needs of children and families.
The project''s activities also heightened the visibility of unmet needs in the community, leading to the development of recommendations for authorities at various levels. A total of 40 submissions were made to relevant bodies, exceeding planned indicators, and meetings were held with decision-makers, including the Ministry of Science and Education and local government bodies.
One of the project''s greatest successes was the ongoing collaboration with Krapina-Zagorje County, which led to concrete steps toward creating a unified access point for ECI services, enhancing support for children and families. The involvement of KRID and MDDV was recognized by authorities, and media coverage further highlighted the role of civil society organizations in ECI development.
The project also contributed to strengthening the capacity and sustainability of the Association for Early Childhood Intervention (HURID). Staff and volunteers received training in advocacy, fundraising, and organizational development, resulting in the creation of a fundraising plan and improved visibility of HURID''s work through social media.
Additional successes include the formation of partnerships beyond the project''s scope, such as collaborations with local NGOs and kindergartens, and the initiation of new projects to support children with developmental risks and their families. These partnerships have extended the impact of the project, reinforcing the integrated ECI system and advocating for improved practices and support.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with the Reykjavik City Department of Education and Youth significantly enhanced stakeholders'' capacity to integrate early childhood intervention (ECI) services. Evaluations of training sessions on intersectoral cooperation, service accessibility, and inclusion of children with developmental challenges showed high participant satisfaction and increased advocacy motivation for establishing an integrated ECI system. The partnership provided valuable insights into Iceland''s gradual integration process, which began in the 1990s and continues through legislation implemented in 2018, with a projected completion by 2026. This helped Krapina-Zagorje County stakeholders understand the importance of incremental progress and the necessity of establishing a unified access point for ECI services. The bilateral cooperation led to the development of training workshops based on insights gained from a study visit to Croatia. Although the Reykjavik City Department''s involvement was mainly advisory, their guidance helped shape the Coalition for Early Childhood Intervention and recommendations. The Icelandic partner''s experience in integrating ECI services informed the Croatian stakeholders about realistic and long-term approaches to system building. Additionally, the Icelandic partner participated in Croatian projects related to ECI and facilitated connections with local Zagreb institutions, enhancing local expertise and planning.The project will continue through additional bilateral activities, including two more workshops focused on integration challenges and preparation for establishing a unified access point for ECI services in Krapina-Zagorje County. HURID will also facilitate further exchanges between the Icelandic partner and Zagreb''s City Office for Education, Sports, and Youth. These exchanges will involve sharing experiences at the 25th Zagreb Kindergarten Days and conducting live plenary sessions and workshops in May 2024.