THE PROJECT

We’ve found that early childhood development (ECD) has a pretty significant impact on ALL of us… and the planet. According to the esteemed medical journal The Lancet (2017), failing to support ECD can lead to substantial economic losses, such as reducing average adult income by about 25% and doubling a country’s healthcare costs. It can also severely affect health systems, democracy, and climate change. 

This is why we’ve supported the work of Places to Grow. This project aims to support early childhood development, education, and care in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia by collaborating with the social services, education, advocacy, and research sectors. The project’s mission is to create a community focused on helping every child reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society in the future.

THE OUTCOME

Holis has been instrumental in helping Places to Grow (P2G) connect nearly 100 organisations within our expanding community. Together, we're building the enabling conditions to support each other and advocate for impactful reforms. 

Holis and P2G have deepened cooperation among partners and stakeholders through the Joint Action Fund, 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 driven specific, tangible outcomes, such as developing mapping tools, conducting research, providing project management support, and coordinating study visits and workshops among partners. 

Holis has supported P2G partners in establishing National ECD platforms in each target country with the goal of influencing policy changes that meet their specific needs. Additionally, Holis aims to foster collaboration, encourage peer learning, and create coordinated solutions among organisations that are addressing similar challenges.

Through our Collective Learning events, Holis and Places to Grow have cultivated a collaborative yet motivating environment that inspires partners to raise their standards and learn from each other's successes.

To learn more, follow Places to Grow on social media and check out their Medium page.