ECOS

June 10th | Leadership for Inclusion in Early Childhood: Modelling Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

How can leadership help early childhood systems move from fragmented services to truly integrated support for children and families This policy-focused discussion will explore cross-sector collaboration, governance and inclusion through practical examples and insights from across Europe.

This policy-focused event will explore how collaborative leadership can help move systems beyond fragmented services towards more integrated and inclusive ECED approaches. Drawing on insights from the ECEC Working Group 2024–2025 report “Leadership for Inclusion: Building Capacity to Strengthen a Whole-System Approach to ECED”, the discussion will examine what kinds of leadership, governance and enabling conditions are needed to make cross-sector collaboration work in practice.

The session will bring together policymakers, researchers and practitioners to reflect on how leadership can foster coordination across education, health, social protection and family support systems, while balancing national frameworks with local flexibility and innovation.

Through examples from different country contexts, speakers will share practical experiences of building integrated approaches, including legal frameworks, local coordination mechanisms, service integration models and leadership roles that support collaboration across sectors and professions.

The event will also feature an interactive “case clinic” element, where speakers and participants will respond to a real-world dilemma related to fragmented systems, weak cooperation or funding challenges, encouraging collective reflection and practical problem-solving.

Finally, the discussion will consider what policymakers and system leaders should prioritise first to enable lasting integration and inclusion: leadership roles, governance structures, funding mechanisms or institutional culture.

Live translation captions will be available.

Why is leadership essential for building integrated and inclusive ECED systems?
What kinds of governance structures and enabling conditions support effective cross-sector collaboration?
How can systems balance national policy frameworks with strong local leadership and flexibility?
What practical lessons emerge from integrated service models and coordinated leadership approaches across different countries?
What needs to change first to move from fragmented services to whole-system approaches for young children and families?

Sandra Fischer, Research associate at the Research Unit for Diversity and Education at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bonn

Anne Lambrechts, Founder and coordinator of Brussels NGO, Elmer

Arianna Lazzari, Associate professor at Bologna University, Department of Education Studies

Géraldine Libreau, Policy Officer for Early Childhood Education and Care, European Commission (DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

Carmen Lica, Director and founder of Step by Step Center for Education and Professional Development (CEDP) Romania

Mathias Urban, Desmond Chair of Early Childhood Education, and Director of the Early Childhood Research Centre (ECRC) at Dublin City University, Ireland (DCU).

Policymakers and government representatives

Early childhood system leaders and administrators

Researchers and academics

Municipal and local government representatives

Practitioners working across education, health and social sectors

NGOs and organisations supporting integrated early childhood services

Watch the recording here.

Join us as we continue the conversation about how to best achieve our shared purpose and united action. For every child.

ECOS EVENTS

June 10th | Leadership for Inclusion in Early Childhood: Modelling Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

14:00-15:30 CEST | Online | Free

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