ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives

07/05/2026

Six years after Her Choice, the impact continues!
A major milestone was recently reached with the passing of the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Punjab reinforcing that girls deserve childhood, education, and opportunity - not early marriage.

Proud to see our partner Bedari driving this progress forward.

Read more here: https://icdi.nl/six-years-on-lasting-impact-of-her-choice-and-new-milestones-in-ending-child-marriage/

It has been six years since the completion of Her Choice, a collaborative initiative led by four Netherlands-based organisations – including

20/04/2026

Just 10 days left to submit your learning scenario or implementation story! Don’t miss out!

Scientix Little Scientists Award! 🧪
In 2026 the Scientix STEM discovery campaign has a special award for early childhood teachers who are champions of .

The Little Scientists Award celebrates early childhood or primary school teachers who integrate STEM with other subjects.

ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives, proud partner of OUTSTE(A)M project encourages you to participate.

Pin your learning scenario or story of implementation in the map before April 30!

Supported by , co-organised by NBS Academy & Scientix EU

https://www.scientix.eu/campaigns/scientix-awards

European Schoolnet

15/04/2026

We officially launched the REAL TALK project with a two-day in-person meeting in Milan, hosted by IRC Italy at the Randstad Box.

Partners from , , , and the came together to align on the project’s vision and next steps.

Funded by the EU CERV Programme ( ), works to prevent gender-based violence ( ) and cyber GBV among adolescents (11–16), promoting:
- healthy relationships and consent
- gender equality
- digital safety and resilience

Over the next 24 months, we will work with young people, caregivers, educators, and policymakers to co-create tools, run workshops, and support real change, both online and offline.


International Rescue Committee (Italia and Poland)
TÜ Sotsiaalteaduslike Rakendusuuringute Keskus
Una Casa per l'Uomo

The REAL TALK project was officially launched with a two-day in-person kick-off meeting in Milan, hosted by IRC Italy at the Randstad Box. Partners from

23/03/2026

Scientix Little Scientists Award! 🧪
In 2026 the Scientix STEM discovery campaign has a special award for early childhood teachers who are champions of .

The Little Scientists Award celebrates early childhood or primary school teachers who integrate STEM with other subjects.

ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives, proud partner of OUTSTE(A)M project encourages you to participate.

Pin your learning scenario or story of implementation in the map before April 30!

Supported by , co-organised by NBS Academy & Scientix EU

https://www.scientix.eu/campaigns/scientix-awards

European Schoolnet

20/03/2026

Last week, the Quick Start Programme officially launched, an accelerated training programme supporting a new generation of preschool teachers across .

In a context where children are growing up amidst uncertainty,
qualified, caring educators are more important than ever. This programme offers a fast, practical pathway into the profession for people with a bachelor’s degree who want to make a difference.

Coordinated by Sesame Workshop, and implemented together with Добра освіта / D O, ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and four universities—with support from UBS Optimus Foundation, the programme combines:
✨ modern, play-based and trauma-informed approaches
✨ hands-on practice in kindergartens
✨ mentoring and blended learning

We are proud at ICDI to have contributed to the curriculum development, bringing in our expertise in early childhood development and psychosocial support.

This is more than a training programme, it’s an investment in children, educators, and the future of Ukraine.

Last week marked the official launch of the Quick Start Programme – an accelerated training programme for preschool educators in Ukraine, offering a

13/03/2026

Our 3-day in Rzeszów has wrapped up!

On day 2, participants dived deeper into the workshop content designed for youth. Together, we explored how gender norms influence online behaviour and interactions, how to recognise different forms of online harm and abuse, and discussed key topics such as consent, personal boundaries, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. The sessions were full of important discussions and practical exercises on how to talk with teens about these issues in an open and safe way.

Day 3 focused on working with parents and strengthening the facilitation skills of coaches. Participants discussed how to support parents and carers in talking with children about online risks, addressed topics such as online coercion, exploitation, and threats, and explored digital wellbeing, resilience building, and online safety tools. We also highlighted the importance of helping teens speak up about gender-based online violence and know where to seek support.

Next step: piloting the Toolbox to see what works well and what can be improved before delivering workshops with youth and caregivers.



The project is co-financed by the European Union, implemented by LHSI "Соціальні ініціативи з охорони праці та здоров'я", Fundacja Pro-Fil, Empatia Program
ГО Дівчата, ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives

11/03/2026

We're in Rzeszów!! Yesterday was the first day of the Training of Trainers for the project.

The day was filled with open conversations and shared reflections on what the digital world of today’s teenagers looks like. We explored their online habits, the risks they may face, and how adults can support young people and help them feel safer online.

A special focus was placed on the role of the facilitator: how to approach sensitive topics, create safe spaces for dialogue, and facilitate workshops on online gender-based violence in ways that ensure teenagers feel respected, supported, and heard.

Looking forward to the next days of learning and collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates!



Fundacja Pro-Fil Empatia Program
LHSI "Соціальні ініціативи з охорони праці та здоров'я"
ГО Дівчата

03/03/2026

Join us on 10 March at 16:00 CET for the webinar:
Meaningful Child Participation: Moving from 'Doing For' to 'Deciding With'

In this webinar, we will explore:
- How works in practice and how it has evolved into
- Why reflecting on power, participation, and adult roles is essential for inclusive early childhood practice
- Practical insights from implementing countries, including practitioner training, mindset shifts, and examples from practice

This is designed for early childhood educators, teacher trainers, researchers, system leaders, and policymakers interested in practical, play-based approaches that strengthen belonging, amplify children’s voices, and support more equitable learning opportunities from the earliest years.

The webinar is hosted by ICDI International Child Development Initiatives, the international coordinator of TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs (Global Collection 2025, 2026 - HundrED).

Register here: https://hundred.org/en/events/meaningful-child-participation-moving-from-doing-for-to-deciding-with

Partners Hungary Alapítvány
Pučko otvoreno učilište Korak po korak
Izglītības iniciatīvu centrs - IIC Center for Education Initiatives
LHSI "Соціальні ініціативи з охорони праці та здоров'я"
ISSA - International Step by Step Association
Škola dokorán n.o.
Cubo Libro
Early Learning Initiative
Pedagoški inštitut/Educational Research Institute
Associazione 21 luglio

23/01/2026

promotes meaningful in Early Childhood Education and Care with a particular focus on non-formal community based early childhood services like Play Hubs.
Building on the success of , which has established 40 across Europe, this project focuses on empowering children aged 0–10 including migrants, refugees, Roma, and children with special needs to make their voices heard.

Last week, our partners Associazione 21 luglio and Cubo Libro conducted the TOY4Participation training sessions, exploring tools and practices to involve children in decision-making and develop pilot ideas for their communities.

24/12/2025

Warmest wishes from all of us at ICDI!

As we reflect on this past year, we are grateful for the connections, collaborations, and shared commitment to making a difference. May this festive season bring joy, peace, and meaningful moments to you and your loved ones.

Here’s to a bright and impactful year ahead!