JAKARTA – SEAMEO RECFON held the Closing Ceremony for the Technical Assistance for the Implementation of the Early Childhood Care, Nutrition, and Education (ECCNE) Program on Tuesday (July 21), marking the completion of the three-month assignment of seven Program Extenders across seven partner districts in Indonesia. The event also served as a platform for local governments to deliver formal commitments to ensure the continuity of program implementation following the end of intensive technical assistance provided by the Program Extenders.
From April 1 to July 30, 2026, one Program Extender was assigned to each of seven partner districts, Bangka, Brebes, East Lombok, Maros, Pekalongan, Sambas, and Solok, to provide technical assistance in implementing the ECCNE Program’s Action Plan (RTL) following the Master of Trainers (MOT) Training conducted earlier this year. Their assistance included facilitating cross-sectoral coordination, supporting district MOT Teams in monitoring implementation down to the early childhood education (PAUD) unit level, and assisting with program administration and documentation. This included preparing and facilitating the formal issuance of district decrees establishing the ECCNE MOT Teams and endorsing the ECCNE RTL. This technical assistance formed part of SEAMEO RECFON’s broader effort to strengthen ECCNE Program implementation in support of Holistic Integrative Early Childhood Education (PAUDHI) and to accelerate stunting reduction in Indonesia.
The Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, SpA(K), expressed appreciation to all Program Extenders for their dedication throughout their assignment.
“On behalf of SEAMEO RECFON, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for the outstanding dedication shown by the Program Extenders over the past three months, from April 1 to July 30, 2026. We hope that the Master of Trainers (MOT) Teams in each district have been well supported by the Program Extenders in carrying out their three core functions: coordination, monitoring, and administration and documentation,” said Prof. Rini.
Prof. Rini also encouraged all local governments to use this moment as an opportunity to strengthen synergy in ensuring the sustainability of ECCNE Program implementation.
“Let us use this moment to reinforce our collective commitment to sustaining ECCNE Program implementation in support of achieving Holistic Integrative Early Childhood Education (PAUD HI) and accelerating stunting reduction in Indonesia,” she added.
Program Extenders Catalyze ECCNE Implementation at District and PAUD Levels
Throughout the assistance period, the Program Extenders facilitated several key strengthening initiatives. These included drafting and formalizing district decrees establishing the ECCNE Master of Trainers (MOT) Teams and approving the ECCNE Action Plans (RTL) for the next three years, as well as supporting the implementation of Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions for PAUD centres. They also strengthened the monitoring system through the ECCNE microsite by supporting the completion of monitoring forms at both district and PAUD unit levels, compiled databases of PAUD centres and educators who had completed TOT training since the program’s initiation, and promoted cross-sector collaboration to mobilize shared resources for ECCNE RTL implementation.
The Coordinator of the ECCNE Program at SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. Umi Fahida, explained that these achievements were the result of close collaboration between SEAMEO RECFON and local governments, with the Program Extenders serving as catalysts that accelerated the program’s implementation process.
“These young colleagues played an important catalytic role. The real achievement belongs to all seven districts and their local governments, who strengthened the MOT Team decrees, carried out TOT training, expanded the TOT alumni database, and reinforced budget allocations,” Dr. Umi explained.
She added that over the three-month implementation period, SEAMEO RECFON had received 1,482 submissions through the completion of monitoring and evaluation forms by PAUD centres and local governments via the ECCNE microsite.
“We are grateful to have received 1,482 monitoring submissions from PAUD centres and local governments. In addition, the program has reached more than 1,300 PAUD centres,” she said.
According to Dr. Umi, the program’s main objective was not only to ensure the implementation of the ECCNE Program at the district level, but also to ensure that its benefits were felt directly by families and young children.
“We hope that once these young colleagues have completed their assignment, ECCNE Program implementation will continue at the PAUD unit level. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to ensure that its benefits reach parents and young children, supporting their optimal growth and development”, she said.
Local Governments’ Commitment to Program Continuity
The event also provided a platform for the seven district governments that had received technical assistance from the Program Extenders to formally declare their commitment to the continued implementation of the ECCNE Program. Among the highlights was the commitment expressed by the Maros District Government.
The Head of BAPERIDA (Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency) of Maros District, H. Sulaeman Samad, S.IP., M.S., emphasized that investing in human resource development from an early age was among the most important investments for the district’s future.
“In line with the direction set by our Regent, the most valuable investment a district can make is in its human resources, beginning in early childhood. The presence of the ECCNE Program, as a collaborative initiative between the Maros District Government and SEAMEO RECFON, has become a tangible manifestation of this broader movement,” he said.
Mr. Sulaeman added that the ECCNE Program had brought change down to the community level by shifting the way educators and parents viewed the importance of early childhood care, nutrition, and education.
As a demonstration of its commitment to sustainability, the Maros District Government will integrate the ECCNE Program into regional planning documents, replicate good practices across all sub-districts, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration to support stunting reduction efforts.
Continued Collaboration for the Next Generation
During a symbolic Closing Ceremony led by the Deputy Director for Administration of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. M. Dzaky F. Surapranata, responsibility for sustaining the ECCNE Program was formally handed over to the district governments. SEAMEO RECFON will continue to provide support through capacity building, technical resources, and monitoring systems.
The completion of the Program Extenders’ assignment marks not the end of the ECCNE Program in the seven districts, but the beginning of stronger local ownership in ensuring that every child has access to quality care, nutrition, health, and education services. Through continued collaboration with local governments, SEAMEO RECFON remains optimistic that the ECCNE Program will continue to expand and contribute to nurturing a healthier, smarter, and more resilient generation of Indonesians.