Rwanda and EU launch Twinning Project to strengthen early childhood education

By The Inspirer. 

The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Education, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and member countries including Lithuania and Finland, has launched the Twinning Project, a two-year initiative aimed at improving early childhood education.

The launch on March 16, 2026, brought together over 100 participants, including government officials and key education stakeholders.

The project is designed to support Rwanda’s Foundational Learning Strategy, focusing on enhancing preschool curricula, improving teaching methodologies, and building the capacity of early childhood educators.

Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, said the initiative aligns with the country’s vision to build a knowledge-based education system by 2050. “This project comes at the right time, reinforcing Rwanda’s education agenda.

The partnership with the EU, Lithuania, and Finland represents a significant step toward improving learning outcomes for young children,” he said.

EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belen Calvo Uyarra, described the Twinning Project as a new model of collaboration, enabling Rwanda and EU partners to share expertise and strengthen early childhood education. She noted that Lithuania and Finland will work closely with Rwanda to improve the quality of preschool education.

“These efforts are in line with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and the EU’s goal to promote quality education,” the ambassador said, emphasizing that active involvement from parents and local leaders is essential to ensure successful implementation.

The initiative will allow Rwanda, Lithuania, and Finland to exchange knowledge, develop education systems, and raise the standard of early childhood learning nationwide.

Jonas Petkevicius, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports in Lithuania, praised the partnership, stressing that investment in children is critical for national development. “Educating children lays the foundation for a strong future. Well-educated children grow into citizens who innovate, build strong institutions, and contribute to sustainable development,” he said.

The Twinning Project is part of the EU’s broader strategy to strengthen education and capacity in partner countries. The initiative has mobilized €50 million (over Rwf83 billion) to support preschool education and improve learning outcomes for young children.