By aligning financing, delivery, data, and quality, we help create an early learning system that works for all.
Systems change work is complex, long-term, and non-linear. Our focus is on shifting the conditions that shape outcomes for children and the women who care for them.
Early signs of progress include changes in mindsets, power dynamics, collaboration, and public narratives. These shifts matter. Over time, they translate into structural outcomes such as increased public and private funding, law and policy reform, innovative public administration, and social movements.
Below are selected milestones from our 20-year track record in translating investment to impact.
Ilifa played a catalytic role in shaping South Africa’s national ECD policy in 2015, catalysed the first ringfenced ECD budget in 2017, and enabled the R10bn (US$580mn) public funding allocation.
In partnership with government, we co-designed and institutionalised South Africa’s first digital ECD information management system – eCares – alongside tools such as the Quality Assurance and Support System to support quality at scale. We also seeded the development of the ELOM suite of child assessment tools, which later made the Thrive by Five Index possible.
Through tactical human resource deployment in government, strategic partnerships, and national campaigns (including Side-by-Side), we have helped bridge government and communities, empower caregivers, and support frontline ECD workers – most of whom are women. Our research also contributed to the formation of SmartStart as a national delivery platform to expand access to quality early learning and Grow Great, a national campaign reduce nutritional stunting for children under five.
As a trusted systems convener, Ilifa has incubated and supported coalitions that amplify civil society’s voice (including the Real Reform for ECD campaign), overturned unjust laws, and elevated the voices of the practitioners within national policy processes.
In 2025, National Treasury announced the largest-ever funding increase for early learning, with R10bn in new funding allocated over the financial years 2025/26–2027/28. This allocation comes on top of planned expenditure of approximately R15bn.
Historically, we have used evidence-based technical knowledge and rigorous economic modelling to assist the Department of Basic Education with its annual budget bid to the National Treasury, and 2024 was no exception.
We are proud that this ambitious and important bid was accepted. Watch the video alongside for the full story.
This detailed case study explores Global South systems thinking, by reflecting on the tactical and theoretical approaches honed by Ilifa to unlock systems change in South Africa’s early childhood development (ECD) ecosystem, and ultimately advance ECD as a critical human development lever.
This summary case study explores Global South systems thinking, by reflecting on the tactical and theoretical approaches honed by Ilifa to unlock systems change in South Africa’s early childhood development (ECD) ecosystem, and ultimately advance ECD as a critical human development lever.
This case study is specifically designed to capture the key lessons for systems change actors, including practitioners, funders, and policymakers, drawing on the experience and impact of Ilifa’s work across the South African ECD ecosystem.
Our annual report on how quality Early Childhood Development for all children also supports caregivers, creates sustainable livelihoods for womne, and builds an equitable and prosperouse South Africa.