Early Childhood Education in Kosovo
Case Study of Community-Based Early Childhood Education Centers
About
The community-based model (CBC) is an important ECE service delivery modality for reaching children and families in rural and underserved communities, particularly where formal ECE services are not available. Introduced in Kosovo with UNICEF support, CBCs have increasingly been integrated into municipal budgets, demonstrating potential as a sustainable and equitable model for ECE expansion.
This case study documents the development and implementation of CBCs across Kosovo, capturing key lessons, enabling conditions and practices that can inform their sustainability and scale-up. It examines the adaptation of the model across municipalities, the services provided and their responsiveness to community needs, and the factors supporting sustainability, particularly municipal ownership and budget integration.
The findings aim to inform the development of by-laws on ECE models and guidance on the sustainable financing and operation of CBCs, while supporting municipalities in decisions on site selection, budgeting and opportunities to expand the model to reach more children and families.
