TOY for Participation Kicks Off in Rome: A New Chapter in Early Childhood Participation

On 3-4 February 2025, ICDI and its partners gathered in Rome to launch TOY for Participation, an ambitious project dedicated to strengthening meaningful child participation among children aged 0-10 in community settings. Hosted at Polo ex Fienile by Associazione 21 luglio, the kick-off meeting brought together organizations from nine European countries to set the stage for this innovative initiative^[1].

Building on Success: Play Hubs as Spaces for Participation

TOY for Participation builds upon the success of TOY for Inclusion, which has established 40 Play Hubs across Europe since 2017, providing inclusive, non-formal early childhood education for over 40,000 young children and 18,000 caregivers. These Hubs have become vital community spaces, particularly for migrant, Roma, and refugee children, fostering social inclusion, learning, and intergenerational engagement. Now, TOY for Participation will embed child participation into these Hubs, ensuring even the youngest voices are heard and respected.

A Collaborative Start

The two-day meeting in Rome set the foundation for the project’s key activities, including the development of the TOY for Participation Toolkit, which will provide practical methodologies for child participation in early years community and institutional settings. Discussions also covered the piloting phase, evaluation strategies, and outcome measurement to ensure long-term sustainability and policy influence.

Participants had the opportunity to visit community initiatives in Rome, including the Tor Bella Monaca Play Hub and Salone Camp, where inclusive approaches to early childhood participation are already being implemented. These visits provided inspiration and real-world insights into the ways Play Hubs can act as platforms for civic engagement and advocacy.

Looking Ahead

Over the next two years, TOY for Participation will directly engage with at least 2,400 children and their families across Europe. The project is co-funded by the EU’s CERV Programme and aims to strengthen democratic engagement from the earliest years. By equipping communities with tools to empower young children as active participants, we move closer to a future where every child’s voice matters.

Stay tuned for updates as TOY for Participation unfolds!