IDB Approves $99.2m Loan to Expand Early Childhood Education in Brazil’s Joinville

Early-childhood education is widely recognized as one of the highest-return public investments, shaping cognitive development, school readiness, and lifelong economic prospects.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $99.2 million loan to significantly expand access to high-quality early-childhood education in Joinville, one of southern Brazil’s most important economic hubs.

The investment will increase full-day preschool coverage, modernize education infrastructure, and introduce digital innovation to strengthen learning outcomes — with a strong focus on reaching the city’s most vulnerable children, including migrants.

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Major Boost for Early Learning in Santa Catarina

Joinville, the largest municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, has one of Brazil’s strongest local economies and the highest human development index (HDI) score in the state. Yet despite these achievements, the city continues to face challenges in ensuring equitable access to quality education for disadvantaged communities.

The new IDB-supported programme will address these gaps by expanding full-day early-childhood education with resilient, universally accessible infrastructure designed to support inclusive learning environments.

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19,500 New Students to Benefit — Most From Vulnerable Communities

The programme is expected to directly benefit:

• 19,500 new early-childhood students

• 70% from Joinville’s most disadvantaged communities

• Approximately 4,000 migrant children gaining improved access to education services

• 30,000 additional students benefiting from improved internet connectivity

By targeting underserved groups, the initiative aims to reduce inequality in learning opportunities at the earliest stages of education — a critical determinant of long-term outcomes.

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Innovation and Digital Transformation in Classrooms

Beyond expanding physical capacity, the programme will introduce innovation and digital tools to strengthen teaching practices and improve student learning.

Key elements include:

• Enhanced pedagogical methods through technology

• Digital transformation to boost early learning outcomes

• Improved system planning and management capacity

• Expanded inclusion for migrant and vulnerable children

The investment reflects a growing regional push to modernize education systems and build resilience against future social and economic shocks.

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Part of National Effort to Modernize Social Spending

This loan represents the eleventh operation under a broader IDB-supported programme to modernize social spending in Brazil.

The national programme, approved in 2020, is financed through a conditional credit line aimed at strengthening Brazil’s institutional capacity to plan and manage social investments more effectively.

The overall goal is to ensure that public spending delivers better services and stronger outcomes for citizens — particularly in education, health, and social protection.

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Financing Terms and Additional Grant Support

The IDB loan includes:

• A 23.5-year repayment term

• A 7-year grace period

• An additional $4 million grant from the IDB to complement the operation

The combined financing package underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting long-term human capital development in Brazil through targeted local investments.

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Investing in the Foundations of Opportunity

Early-childhood education is widely recognized as one of the highest-return public investments, shaping cognitive development, school readiness, and lifelong economic prospects.

By expanding full-day preschool access and strengthening digital learning capacity, the Joinville programme is expected to deliver lasting benefits for children, families, and the city’s future workforce.