About Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network (TECDEN)

Tanzania Early Childhood Development Network (TECDEN) is a national umbrella network of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Civil Society Organizations working in partnership to promote early childhood development in Tanzania. 

TECDEN envision a society where all children are developmentally on to reach their full potential. TECDEN is determined to work collaboratively with other networks, coalitions, institution, the private sector, the government, development partners and other potential stakeholders to influence policies, programs and practices related to early Childhood Development. This can be achieved through sharing of information, experience and generating knowledge; and work towards early investments in young children of 0-8 years in Tanzania. 

TECDEN was found in December 2000. It was formally registered on 30th June 2004 with registration NO:00NGO/00007826 by the Registrar of Societies, Ministry of Home Affairs under the societies' ordinance, 1954 and re- registered in 2015 and 2023 consecutively under NGO Act with registration NO:00NGO/R1/00178. The re-registration aimed to position the Network to operate within existing ECD landscape in the country. Among the objectives one is “…to develop and maintain an active ECD network through strong institutional links between ECD related organizations”. What started out as the inter Organizational Committee naturally developed into the formation of the national network of ECD stakeholders now known as TECDEN. 

TECDEN is determined to collaboratively work with other networks, coalitions, institutions, the private sectors, the government, development partners and other potential stakeholders to influence policies, programs and practices related to Early Childhood Development (ECD). This can be achieved through sharing of information, experience and generating knowledge; and understanding of ECD; and work towards early investments in young children of 0 – 8 years in Tanzania.

TECDEN coordinates non-state actors across the Country with Network members of about fifty-three (53) Regular members, fourteen (20) strategic members and forty-five (49) affiliate members. TECDEN works with key ECD Ministries across all five Nurturing Care framework domains.  

TECDEN Geographical Coverage

• Currently the Organization operates across all 26 regions of Tanzania Mainland.
• Our Office is located at Area D- Mlimwa East, Plot Number 30 Block K.
• Currently, TECDEN has a total number of 10 full time employees