Unlocking the Missing Capital for the Early Years
Please join us for an interactive discussion on what is needed to drive more private philanthropy to the early experiences that determine all future outcomes: ECD, ECE, and childcare. In spite of a strong body of evidence, proven and cost-effective models, and growing government interest, this sector receives a small fraction of global funding. We are bringing together leading Early Years organisations and funders to ask and answer the question, What is still missing to unlock more private funding, faster?
This conversation builds on our event at last year’s Skoll World Forum, where we explored the barriers preventing proven models from reaching scale and the opportunities to unlock public and multilateral financing. It also connects to the momentum of the Act for Early Years Campaign and broader global efforts to strengthen financing for Early Childhood ahead of the International Finance Summit for Early Childhood in 2027.
What to expect from this session: Co-hosting groups will share clear, compelling evidence of how quality experiences during early childhood drive critical outcomes beyond child development, from health and nutrition to foundational learning, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and long-term economic growth. We will also highlight policy wins and examples of how innovations are already being integrated into public systems, showing both proof of concept and readiness to scale.
A core part of the session will be an open, honest discussion with the audience covering, ‘What would make Early Childhood a stronger investment case? What is holding funding back? And what needs to change to bring new capital into the sector? By building on what already works and learning directly from funders, we aim to contribute to global efforts and unlock the financing needed to reach more children, more effectively, at scale.
This event is co-hosted by Dost, Happy Hearts Rwanda, Ilifa Labantwana, Kidogo, Lively Minds, Mobile Creches, NurtureFirst, Parenting for Lifelong Health, Rocket Learning, Sabre Education, and SmartStart.