Building a foundation for prosperity

Highlights

Released in 2025, UNICEF’s Regional Early Years Strategy: Building a Foundation for Prosperity, is UNICEF's regional early years strategy. It sets out an ambitious vision: to make Europe and Central Asia a region of excellence in early childhood development (ECD) policy and programming, where every child, from conception to primary school entry, is supported to thrive and reach their full potential.

Starting from strong evidence that the early years shape lifelong health, learning and productivity, the strategy argues that ECD should be treated as a shared outcome, not the responsibility of a single sector. It builds on three sectoral pillars (health, education and social welfare) that provide essential services to young children and families. Three cross-sectoral accelerators of parenting support, early identification and early childhood intervention, and inter-ministerial coordination connect these systems and multiply their impact. There are two guiding principles that underpin the approach proposed by the strategy: a whole-of-government agenda, and universal-progressive support that reaches all families while giving more intensive help to those who need it most.

For each area, the strategy identifies strategic priorities, key delivery platforms and implementation approaches. Together, these are designed to help governments scale results for young children across the countries and territories where UNICEF works in the region.