Education transformation requires a comprehensive vision of challenges and possible reforms, sustained action and significant investment.

At every level across the education sector, GPE’s approach is to identify and mobilize those who can play a part in advancing partner country reforms, including sovereign states, civil society, youth and the private sector.

The 2024 GPE Annual Report shares how the partnership approach works, with partner countries drawing on GPE’s capacity to bring education stakeholders together in support of delivering reforms sustainably and at scale.

New partners and pledges

One of GPE’s key strengths is the breadth of its partnership. Each member brings unique knowledge and expertise that can be leveraged to accelerate global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4.

In 2024, Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia joined the partnership, further broadening the membership base from the Middle East and Persian Gulf.

The past year saw new donor pledges to GPE with increases from Spain (€5 million) and Japan (almost US$5.5 million). Part of Japan’s contribution will help children in Mozambique return to school in its ongoing recovery from severe cyclones in 2019 and support climate resilience in education in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ireland, Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom also pledged funds to the West Bank and Gaza sub-account within the GPE Fund while cofinancing from a private foundation advanced progress on a $5-million Multiplier grant to benefit urgent education needs once the situation permits.

Partnerships support sustainable education reform

Country-led reform is the heart of GPE’s approach. Through consultation and dialogue with actors from across the education system, countries develop a partnership compact, mapping out how all stakeholders will provide the necessary support to accelerate progress toward this priority reform.

Nepal has applied a $20-million system transformation grant to enhance teacher quality and rolled out a teacher mentoring program across 50 local governments.

Technical assistance reinforces country capacity to deliver

In 2024, GPE also expanded targeted technical assistance initiatives that tap into the diverse expertise of the partnership.

These initiatives help partner countries tackle complex cross-sectoral challenges that impede children’s learning whether the impacts of climate change, gender inequality, school safety or access to technology.

GPE and UNICEF launched the Tech4Ed initiative in Ghana and Tajikistan to explore how technology can be more widely used to improve education as well as to promote the assessment of technology uses and potential integration in strategic and operational plans across the education sector.

Strengthening evidence use in policy making

The GPE Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) funds research and facilitates knowledge-sharing between countries through four regional hubs to support innovation in national education systems with relevant evidence and actionable research.

Research projects in Uganda, for example, directly involved parents in setting up new early learning centers in rural areas previously lacking such facilities.

Engaging civil society

Education Out Loud, with $133 million in funding from GPE and managed by Oxfam Denmark, is the world’s largest education advocacy fund.

Combining financial strength, a focus on learning and its ability to convene a wide range of partners, Education Out Loud has supported civil society organizations in 48 partner countries to successfully influence education planning, policy dialogue or monitoring.

In Benin, civil society organizations created an online platform to provide real-time information on the general level of satisfaction with public services, specifically education, and to enable policy players to adjust accordingly.

Engaging youth leaders

GPE provides a platform for young people to share their personal views, experiences and ambitions for education transformation to help drive change at the global, regional and national levels.

In 2024, GPE youth leaders participated in 36 events.

• Ayesha Siddika from Bangladesh spoke at the Wilton Park dialogue on ending violence in and through education.
• Ngimou Victorine Nchokuno from Cameroon spoke at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Farida Ally from Kenya and Anna Bella Sabilah from Indonesia participated in the 79^th session of the UN General Assembly.

Building on what works

GPE is drafting its next strategic plan—GPE 2030—to build upon progress under GPE 2025.

GPE will continue to work with partner countries to gather inputs from an array of stakeholders, channeling national, regional and global expertise while also fostering local awareness and support.

Driven by country leadership, GPE's unique approach fosters strong partnerships that provide efficient, effective support, sustaining fundamental change within national education systems.