On 20 October in Turin, over 50 professionals and families members from across Europe came together for the final event of the Erasmus+ EarlyBrain project, marking the conclusion of a three-year journey dedicated to strengthening Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) across Europe. The event celebrated how storytelling, support services and policy can work together to make early intervention knowledge accessible, practical, and family-centred. 

The event featured opening remarks from Agapi Papadaki, Head of Early Intervention Programme Development at Amimoni and EASPD Board Member, and presentations from Miguel Buitrago, Learning and Development Officer at EASPD. It also had inspiring panel discussion, “From Families’ Needs to Policy Action,” with insights from leading experts and practitioners: 

• Eric Bloemkolk, former Director, Soft Tulips 
• Eleonora Drago, Consultant, Istituto di Gestalt 
• Magdalena Tsoneva, Manager Training & Research, Karin Dom 
• Clara Massé, Junior Policy Officer, EASPD
• Nuria Robles, Manager of Fab Lab León, Fundación TMA
• Sebastian Gonzalez, Policy and Advocacy Officer for Disability and Care Policies, COFACE Families Europe

Together, they discussed on the relevance and usefulness of EarlyBrain’s toolkit for further promoting ECI knowledge and supporting families. Storytelling and illustrations played a vital role in developing the toolkit, turning complex ECI concepts into relatable, emotionally engaging stories. “Real-life experiences of parents, children, and professionals supported by sensitive and inclusive artwork gave life and authenticity to the materials, allowing families to see themselves reflected in the content,” said Nuria Robles (Fundación TMA).

Additionally, the experts explored how ECI can evolve from isolated interventions to coordinated, holistic systems that empower families and professionals alike. The discussion reflected on the current gaps in ECI implementation across Europe including uneven quality, lack of coordination between sectors, and socio-economic disparities while highlighting transferable solutions and promising practices. 

One of the project’s major outcomes, the policy document Building a Brighter Future: A White Book to Advance Early Childhood Intervention in Europe, was also presented. The White Book promotes evidence-based policymaking and the creation of inclusive, family-centred systems that bridge health, education, and social services. It offers clear recommendations for EU and national authorities, service providers, and civil society, from harmonising frameworks and improving data collection to strengthening family participation in policymaking. 

The project coordinator Mar Palenzuela Saus (IRENEA) provided concluding remarks and closed the event with a message: “by listening to families and acting on their needs, we can build stronger, more inclusive communities where every child can grow, learn, and thrive.”