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Piloting a Multi-Sectoral Approach to Address Issues in Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Punjab
Pilot project on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Punjab, in collaboration with JICA: a multi-sectoral approach to ECD through health, nutrition, education, social protection, agriculture, livestock, local government, and WASH. Activities test cost-effective and scalable interventions at the community level.
SPHERE Consulting implemented a pilot project to strengthen Early Childhood Development (ECD) with technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Planning & Development (P&D) Board, Government of Punjab.
The project adopted a community-led, multisectoral approach to identify ECD needs, co-design locally responsive solutions, engage local implementing partners, and deliver integrated interventions across the five domains of the Nurturing Care Framework. Progress was systematically monitored through baseline, midterm, and endline assessments, followed by dissemination of key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustainability and scale-up. The key steps followed during the project are presented below:
The project developed a community-led, multisectoral model for Early Childhood Development (ECD) in UC Kotla Chakar, targeting children from 0-8 years of age, along with their parents and caregivers. Guided by the Nurturing Care Framework, the model was developed through a participatory approach to demonstrate how communities, government departments, local organizations, and frontline service providers can work collectively to create an enabling environment for children to survive, thrive, learn, and reach their full potential.
UC Kotla Chakar, Multan was selected as the pilot area, where locally identified needs informed the design and implementation of integrated interventions. During the implementation phase, activities were delivered across the five Nurturing Care domains; Good Health, Adequate Nutrition, Responsive Caregiving, Opportunities for Early Learning, and Safety & Security, including health and nutrition awareness, cooking demonstrations, kitchen gardening and poultry support, community-based early learning, parenting and caregiving sessions, father engagement, and child protection initiatives. The model demonstrated how coordinated multisectoral action, anchored within the community through UMAC, can provide more holistic support to young children and their families while strengthening local ownership and sustainability.
