Thinking Beyond Credentials: How Non-Conventional “Experts” Can Transform the ECD Sector

This panel encourages practitioners to reimagine what "experts" look like--to think beyond credentials. We will present evidence, spanning three countries, that social and behavior change can be driven, scaled, and sustained by trusted community volunteers, including faith actors and local leaders, who are not conventionally thought of as "experts" in the early childhood development field. This evidence is particularly important in contexts with overburdened health systems, often less effective in reaching (or less trusted by) the most marginalized households.

Through sharing of evidence, visual storytelling and participatory dialogue, this panel will:

1. Challenge conventional "expertise" by illustrating the profound influence of community volunteers and faith leaders as trusted ECD practitioners, rooted in relationships--not credentials.
2. Exhibit results and learning from evaluations in Zambia and Mozambique and a randomized control trial in Kenya to demonstrate how community-led approaches can improve caregiver wellbeing, safeguard young children and transform nurturing caregiving practices. 
3. Explore the power of relationship-driven transformation, built on trust, accountability, and locally led action as central to SBCC. 

The panel will introduce common program elements of Moments That Matter® (MTM), an integrated early childhood development (ECD) program partnership of Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) and its implementing partners in Africa. MTM is a proven community-led model for building nurturing ecosystems that strengthen households, enhance caregiver wellbeing, prevent violence and create safe environments where children thrive. Rooted in trusted relationships, MTM drives behavior change supportive of ECD that extends beyond individuals to become part of the fabric of the community.