How can the early childhood development (ECD) system in three countries be changed so that all children benefit from better ECD services and reach their potential?
The Brief

The philanthropic organisation Porticus approached Holis with a visionary challenge: to create a program that fosters multisectoral collaboration, experimentation, and systemic change in early childhood development (ECD) across the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. They sought a backbone organisation capable of designing and executing this ambitious program as an ecosystem accelerator, including the strategic regranting of their funds. 

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by compelling research from The Lancet (2017), which highlights the far-reaching impacts of inadequate ECD support. Failure in this area can lead to substantial economic losses, reducing average adult income by approximately 25% and potentially doubling a country’s healthcare costs. Moreover, the ripple effects extend to health systems, democratic processes, and even climate change mitigation efforts. 

Recognising these high stakes, Porticus launched the Places to Grow initiative, commissioning Holis to shape the program and act as a systems catalyst. Our mission: To support the region's early childhood development, education, and care by fostering collaboration across social services, education, advocacy, and research sectors. The ultimate goal is to create a community dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society.

The Outcome

As the selected backbone organisation, Holis has been instrumental in coordinating and developing the Places to Grow (P2G) initiative. Through ecosystem acceleration and facilitation, Holis has successfully connected nearly 100 organisations within the expanding community, building the enabling conditions for mutual support and impactful advocacy. Some of our key milestones:

  • The Joint Action Fund has deepened cooperation among partners and stakeholders, achieving significant results. Each project has strengthened strong relationships and cultivated a collective vision for national ECD support by engaging local governments, diverse ECD stakeholders, and community organisations. 

  • Holis has supported P2G partners in establishing National ECD platforms in each target country, aiming to influence policy changes that address local needs. 

  • Our Conference and Collective Learning events have cultivated a collaborative environment that harnesses collective intelligence, inspires partners to raise their standards, and learn from each other’s successes. 

By incorporating foresight methodologies, Holis has helped stakeholders anticipate future challenges and opportunities in the ECD landscape. By fostering collaboration, encouraging peer learning, and coordinating solutions to shared challenges, Holis has laid the foundation for long-term impact. 

To learn more about this transformative initiative, follow Places to Grow on social media and explore our Medium page for in-depth insights and updates.

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Places to Grow Conference
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Joint Action Fund Projects
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National ECD Platforms
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Collective Learning Events

“I'm proud of our collaboration with Holis. Initially, we sought an early childhood development expert but realised we needed a skilled networker and facilitator for interdisciplinary groups. Partnering with Holis was the perfect choice.”
Stanislav Daniel
Programme Manager, Porticus

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