The first Early Childhood Development (ECD) Collaborative Fund in mainland China was soft launched in September at the Philanthropy For Better Cities Forum (PBC2024) in Hong Kong.
Collaborative philanthropy involves working together and combining resources to tackle significant, complex issues. Donors and stakeholders can make an enormous impact by pooling funds and supporting ecosystems rather than just individual organizations. Donors and stakeholders can create a far greater impact by pooling resources and investing in ecosystems besides focusing solely on individual organizations. This allows people to address issues while connecting with local leaders who are driving social change.
Li Foundation (LiF) was invited to join the Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) in a ECD research study during the pandemic. The study covered four countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and China, which gave us a solid understanding of the ECD field.
A common consensus is that a baby’s brain is only 25% of its adult size at birth but grows to 80% by the age of three. Early brain development relies on stimulation, and experts focus on three main areas: language, cognitive skills (such as attention, memory, and problem-solving), and social-emotional skills. All of these depend on interaction— without it, kids may become emotionally detached.
Research data revealed a shocking fact that China is no longer the world’s most populous country, and its birth rate has dropped significantly over the recent years. Many young people in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are choosing not to have kids, especially those with higher education. On top of that, nearly 200 million migrant workers leave their children behind in rural areas, often with grandparents who have limited education. This means that more than 50% of young children in China are growing up in underdeveloped regions with older caregivers.
In the beginning, we didn’t know how to address such a big challenge. But soon, we realised that a collaborative approach was the way forward. About ten months ago, eight foundations came together to find a unique solution. These included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, China Foundation For Rural Development (CFRD), China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), Tanoto Foundation, Xinhe Foundation, The Yeh Family Philosophy, and LiF.
After many discussions and planning sessions with over 30 colleagues, we developed a comprehensive plan to support the early development of children aged 0-3 in China’s rural and township areas. The goal is to create direct and systemic changes to improve outcomes for millions of under-resourced children by focusing on three key areas: supporting innovation, raising awareness among caregivers, and pushing for policy changes.
Witnessing the dedication, trust, and teamwork that have brought this initiative to life is inspiring. It is the first collaborative fund in Asia, and it serves as a model for future efforts. What we are aiming to achieve is both ambitious and meaningful thus if we can address this issue, we will be setting an example for more organizations, family foundations, and NGOs to work together and tackle social challenges.
The book showcases how the participants challenged their limits and conquered the World Marathon Challenge and North Pole Marathon to inspire people to challenge their own limits and pursue their dreams boldly.
The book tells the stories behind the event which saw the largest number of people in history running 1045km round Taiwan in 19 days.