Over the past seven years, the First 2000 Days Network has invested deeply in an adaptive learning approach. This report is a summary of the high-level lessons that came out of the Network’s efforts. Building a high-quality network is a long process and the Network’s success and failures are informative for other collaborative efforts.

My co-author, Sami Berger and I entered into the First 2000 Days Network because of the incredible opportunity to build something using a unique, innovative approach. There is a freedom when you’re given permission to re-think what’s needed to achieve real change that is desperately needed.

The Network was lucky and unique in that it had the time and space to invest in learning from lifelong champions in the sector, leading thinkers on building high quality networks, collective impact, and efforts to support families and children in global contexts. The investment in learning was foundational through the life course of the Network and was one of its greatest assets.

We hope that this report can, alongside many other resources, guide whatever comes out of these turbulent times. There will always be a need to support the youngest members of our communities in a way that acknowledges the complexities – and possibilities – of the systems that impact our everyday lives.

This is one piece of the puzzle.