Early childhood support starts at home

PODGORICA, April 2, 2026 – A new partnership between UNICEF and the International Women’s Club will enhance early childhood intervention services, placing a strong focus on supporting the entire family, ensuring coordinated cross-sectoral services, and enabling earlier identification and timely support for children with developmental delays and disabilities.

Instead of parents having to take their children from one institution to another, multidisciplinary teams consisting of psychologists, speech therapists, special educators, physiotherapists, and pediatricians will provide coordinated, family-centred services, including home visits. One designated professional will maintain continuous contact with the family and coordinate the work of various experts and service providers.

“We feel relieved and much more empowered as a family,” said one parent benefiting from this service model.

Through an initial investment of €80,000, more than 55 professionals will be trained, while around 200 families will directly benefit from improved services. At the same time, the Early Development Centre in Podgorica will receive the necessary equipment.

“A team of experts now comes to the family and works directly with the child in their natural environment, where the child learns best, in partnership with parents as the most important figures in the child’s life. This represents a fundamental shift — support that is coordinated and tailored to both the family and the child in early childhood,” said Michele Servadei, UNICEF Representative in Montenegro.

The partnership between UNICEF and the International Women’s Club enables the organization of training sessions led by international experts, aimed at establishing a national network of trainers and strengthening existing multidisciplinary teams. This also lays the foundation for further expansion of this early childhood support model to additional municipalities.

This partnership represents an initial step within a broader fundraising initiative aimed at expanding access to quality early intervention services across Montenegro. The fundraising campaign will remain open until 1 September, and UNICEF and the International Women’s Club are inviting the private sector to support the expansion of these services.

“For every child in Montenegro to have access to early intervention, this model needs to be scaled nationwide through sustainable financing. The private sector has an important role to play in supporting the expansion of these services and ensuring that even more children receive the support they need,” said Servadei.

Founder and Board Member of the International Women’s Club Zorica Mišković Pavićević , highlighted the importance of this partnership for children and families in Montenegro.

“This partnership means that children and families will receive support when they need it most. Strengthening professionals who work directly with children and families is key to creating lasting change in the system,” said Mišković Pavićević. “This support is part of a broader fundraising initiative, and we invite the private sector to join us. Every contribution can help ensure that children receive support in the early years, which are critical for their development and well-being.”

Early intervention in the first years of life has a decisive impact on a child’s development and family well-being. Therefore, it is essential that this new model of early childhood support services becomes available nationwide through sustainable financing.