What we did
The project
UNICEF’s Pacific Child initiative is a groundbreaking approach to enhancing Early Childhood Development (ECD) across 15 countries in the Pacific. The project was not just about creating a new platform; it was about transforming how these countries collaborate, share data, and drive policy improvements in ECD.
Recognizing the fragmented nature of ECD data and resources in the Pacific, UNICEF envisioned a strategy to unify these elements through a comprehensive digital platform. We partnered with UNICEF’s Pacific ECD team to develop the solution, the Pacific Child initiative. This was built on the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development (PRC4ECD), which aimed to improve regional data and resource exchange, enhancing each country’s ability to support ECD policy and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Framework for data to policy
The strategy hinged on two main pillars: developing a technology approach and engaging with regional stakeholders to tailor the strategy to specific needs and cultural nuances. To do so, we worked closely with ECD experts, policymakers, data specialists, and national representatives from the Pacific Regional Council.
Our discussions shaped a data strategy that was both culturally sensitive and technologically sophisticated. This ensured the platform would be effectively adopted across diverse national contexts. Recognizing the critical need for a centralized platform to enhance data accessibility and policy formulation, we developed a regional knowledge and data-sharing hub that would empower policymakers and researchers across the Pacific with the necessary information to formulate effective ECD policies.
Stakeholder focus and engagement
With the approved strategy, we developed and launched a data platform that would house the regional data and make it accessible to all stakeholders. Through workshops, journey mapping sessions, and continuous dialogue, we developed workflows and identified critical data sources to underpin the platform.
Stakeholder engagement was at the heart of this project. We conducted extensive consultations with representatives from the 15 Pacific Island governments to gather insights and ensure the initiative and the platform would meet their needs. Workshops and focus groups facilitated open dialogue and collaboration, shaping the design and functionality of the platform. Our collaborative approach ensured the platform was tailored to the unique cultural and operational contexts of each member state, fostering a sense of ownership among the stakeholders and ensuring practicality and user-friendliness.
Cultural representation and ownership was a critical factor to buy-in of the initiative. We developed a brand identity that reflected the cultural diversity of the Pacific and resonated with local aesthetics and values that would build momentum for the initiative.
Growing impact and insights
The platform has fostered a new level of cooperation among Pacific countries, allowing them to share successes, challenges, and strategies more effectively. With enhanced data and collaboration, countries have been able to advocate for stronger ECD policies and secure necessary funding and support to implement them. The successful engagement with the 15 Pacific Island governments was a cornerstone of this project’s success. Their endorsement and active participation were crucial in creating a platform that is not only functional but also embraced by the community it serves.
As the platform matures, the focus will shift towards enhancing its analytical capabilities to provide even deeper insights into ECD trends and outcomes.
The project also highlighted the importance of linking ECD with climate change resilience. ECD programs need to support young children and their families in building resilience and adapting to climate impacts. This intersection of climate and ECD was crucial in making ECD more relevant to donors and enhancing the region’s participation in global forums like the UNFCCC COP.
