The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $50 million loan to enhance early childhood development services for children under 36 months from low-income households in Peru. The funding aims to strengthen the National Cuna Más Program by improving its governance, information systems, technological infrastructure, and staff training to ensure operational capacity and high-quality service delivery.
The initiative will also upgrade the infrastructure of Comprehensive Child Care Centers, making them more energy-efficient and climate-resilient. It will construct 25 new centers and renovate 28 existing centers using bioclimatic architecture, efficient water-use standards, and low environmental impact materials. These improvements will enable Peru to provide high-quality, sustainable early childhood development services.
The program is expected to directly benefit over 320,000 children across 522 urban municipalities and 1,240 rural or remote municipalities, including 65,371 children who speak or are learning an Indigenous language as their native language. In addition to children, the program will support the staff of the National Cuna Más Program, as well as families and caregivers.
The operation aligns with the Amazonia Forever program, particularly its focus on sustainable infrastructure and improved service quality for populations in the Amazon region. It emphasizes cultural relevance and active engagement with community stakeholders.
The IDB loan has a 17-year repayment term with a 6.5-year grace period and an interest rate linked to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), providing long-term financial support for the program’s implementation.
