GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) CENTERS

Applications are now open!

Rationale

Every child deserves the best start in life and the opportunity to thrive. A child’s brain develops rapidly during the early years, and research shows that the first three years of life are crucial for optimal development. It is during this period that 80% of a child’s brain grows. It is therefore imperative that deliberate efforts are made to give every child (with or without disability) the chance to grow in an environment conducive to their holistic development. ECD Centres play an important role in the child’s holistic development and therefore covers not only early learning and stimulation, but also other areas including health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, positive discipline and school readiness.

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Call for applications: Grants for Early-Childhood Development (ECD) centers across Rwanda

Kumwe Hub (part of Save the Children) is thrilled to announce a unique opportunity for existing and operating Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers that work with children aged 0-6 years: the Itetere ECD Grants!

Our goal with this program is to ensure that Early Childhood Develpment centers/programs  in both rural and urban areas of Rwanda have high quality early learning environment with the required technical capacity (teachers engage children with learning methodology that are tailored to the age of the child), high quality learning materials and the infrastructure to offer children with high and inclusive quality ECD services, In addition, children should have quality health and nutrition in ECD centres.

The Itetere ECD Grant will target ECD programs that cater for children in the age range of 0-6 years encompassing two distinct stages:

• 0-3 years: commonly referred to as daycares
• 3-5 years: commonly known as preprimary education

The grants will empower eligible centers to not only receive immediate financial support but also open doors for potential training and low-interest loans in the future by Kumwe Hub.

Bibondo Grant details

• Grant target: Early-Childhood Development centers who target children aged 0-6 years
• Grant purpose: To be used to enhance the quality of care, education, and facilities of the ECD centers
• Grant amount: 3000 - 5000 USD
• Application deadline: 15/06/2023

Eligibility Criteria

The Kura Neza Kibondo Grant will be offered to ECD centers who positively demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Status: The ECD center must be existing and in operation (for at least the past I year)
• Target: The ECD center must cater to children between the ages of 0-6 years
• Licensing and Accreditation: ECD centers must hold the necessary licenses and meet the regulatory requirements established by the government of Rwanda.
• Location: The grant is applicable to all ECDs existing in Rwanda, regardless of location
• Curriculum: The ECD center with a formal learning curriculum that offers developmentally appropriate practices, engagement in play-based learning,
• Safety: The ECD centers maintains a safe and healthy environment for children. This includes adhering to proper safety protocols, maintaining clean and hygienic facilities, and implementing appropriate health and nutrition practices.
• Inclusion: The ECD centers prioritize inclusivity and provide equal opportunities for both girls and boys children from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, different cultures, gender and various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Budget: Provide a budget overview with a breakdown of how the grant is intended to be used.
• Desirable (not required): The ECD center is women-led (managed by women)

In the application, indicate whether you would be interested in obtaining a loan, articulate specific needs and how the funds will be utilized effectively to enhance your educational programs and facilities in the ECD center. We encourage you to think creatively and propose initiatives that will make a lasting impact on the children in your ECD center.

Application details:

To apply for the grant, you must:

• Fill in the application from https://www.kumwehub.com/itetere-grants and send to the email attached below
• Include the ECD centers accreditation or certificate of recognition from a government instituition

Submissions will be reviewed carefully and select a limited number of ECD centers to receive the grants. We will assess each proposal based on its alignment with the project’s goal, aw well as the potential impact the funds will have on  children who currently have limited access to ECD centers and the wider community,  it is essential that the proposals outline clear targets and a well defined roadmap for the utilization of the funds, showcasing the center’s ability to responsibly manage the grant from its initiation to its completion.   The selected ECDs centers will be visited for further evaluation.
 

Timeline of the grant process

Opportunities for the grant winners

In addition to the grant, grant winners will also be able to access:

• ECD Training by Save the Children trainers. This is a 4-day training course offered to staff members to ensure that quality ECD education is offered in the ECD center.
• Assistance in monitoring and evaluating, to ensure the effectiveness of the programs. This ensures accountability and enables continuous improvement in the quality of early childhood education provided.
• Qualification to access a low-interest loan from Kumwe Hub. This loan is to be used to further enhance the ECD components of the ECD center.
• And more!

Together, let's pave the way for a brighter future by investing in the early development and education of our children. We are excited to collaborate with dedicated ECD center leaders who share Save the Children’s vision and passion.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Programmes Coordinator, Catherine Bateta at catherine.bateta@savethechildren.org.  Telephone number: 0792988600

We look forward to receiving your applications and working together to make a difference in the lives of young children.