Our Impact
Education Out Loud is transforming the world of learning through civic engagement. With a total allocation of US$133 million, Education Out Loud is the largest fund in the world supporting both civil society advocacy and accountability for education.
Through its support to civil society organisations, Education Out Loud has contributed to more inclusive, gender-responsive, and equitable education systems that are designed to meet the needs of all learners, including the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Since its inception in 2019, Education Out Loud has supported civil society organisations in over 60 countries to conduct evidence-based advocacy, engage in policy dialogue, and promote social accountability at national, regional, and global levels. These efforts have contributed to strengthening the ability of civil society actors to advocate for systemic changes in education—ensuring that the needs of vulnerable populations are addressed and that educational resources are used effectively. Through this support, Education Out Loud has contributed to results in four key areas:
- Policy change;
- Social accountability mechanisms;
- Generation of data for advocacy;
- Participation in policy dialogue spaces.
Below is an overview of the programme’s results to date, based on our key indicators.
National policy changes
Education Out Loud grantees have contributed to 188 national policy changes improving education budgets, ensuring inclusive systems, and addressing challenges that hinder learning.
Social Accountability
62 social accountability mechanisms
have been created or strengthened by Education Out Loud grantees.
Knowledge and Learning
152 studies, reports or
assessments have been
produced by Education Out Loud grantees for use
in advocacy and monitoring
Participation
93 percent of the supported National Education Coalitions are now members of their local education group
Policy Changes
The overall goal of Education Out Loud is to empower civil society to be active and influential in shaping education policies to better meet the needs of communities, especially vulnerable and marginalised populations. As such, policy changes that improve the quality and inclusiveness of education systems are a key indicator of the programme’s success. Grantees influence the policy changes by for example generating evidence to submit to the ministries, participating in working groups and meetings with government officials, and engaging media and the public to raise attention to the issues which affect communities.
Since 2019: 188 policy changes were influenced by Education Out Loud grantees.
Bolivia: Municipal Law “Presteño Cultural Identity Day” (N° 778). Jul/23
Bolivia: Municipal Youth Act. Municipality of Cotagaita (N° 174). Oct/23
Burkina Faso: Partnership Pact – Access to education in a context of humanitarian crises. Jul/23
Burundi: Education Sector Plan 2022-2030. Mar/24
Cambodia: Action Plan on Inclusive Education 2024-2028 (IEAP). May/24
Ghana: GPE Compact. Nov/23
Indonesia: Ministry of Education Regulation No.46 on Prevention and Handling of Violence in the School. Aug/23
Indonesia: Jakarta Governor Regulation No.15 Year 2024 on New Student Enrolment. May/24
Moldova: Revision of Article 137 of the Education Code. May/24
Mongolia: Laws on Education: a) General law on Education, b) Law on pre-school and general education. Jul/23
Mongolia: National Curriculum Framework for Pre-School and School Education. Apr/24
Nepal: Ratnanagar Municipality policy and programme 2023. Jul/23
Pakistan: Teaching License Policy, School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh. Jun/23
Rwanda: The Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) operational framework of 27 10 2023. Oct/23
Somaliland: Implementation guideline for the Decentralization policy 2020. Aug/23
Timor Leste: “Resolution of National Parliament No 15/2024 – Date 29 May 2024.
Timor Leste: The Matters of Temporary Teachers of Pre-School To Secondary School Education in Timor-Leste”. May/24
Bangladesh: School Level Development Plan (SLIP) Guideline – Article 9.1; To enhance citizen participation in school budgeting processes. Dec/23
Cote d’Ivoire: The Ministers’ roadmap for 2024. Feb/24
Eswatini: School Uniform Policy. Dec/23
Haiti: Strategic-political change in the partnership pact document between the Ministry and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). Apr/24
Liberia: An Operational Plan of the Education Sector Plan 2022/23-26/27 (ESP 2022 – 2027). Jun/24
Niger: National Education ministerial order for the reintroduction of the Certificat de Fin d’Etude du Premier degré (CFEPD). Dec/23
Rwanda: Implementation Guidelines for Student Promotion and Repetition. Jun/24
Senegal: Functionality of the framework for monitoring the agreements of 26 February 2022 between the teachers’ unions and the government. Jul/23
Senegal: Realignment of the distribution of State services between the Presidency of the Republic, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of National Education. Apr/24
Burkina Faso: Quality-sensitive budgeting in formal education. May/24
Cameroon: Law N°2023 /019 of 19 December 2023 to enact the Finance Law of the Republic of Cameroon for the financial year 2024. Dec/23
Malawi: Education sector budget allocation policy. Dec/23
Malawi: The Malawi Parliament approved the national education budget with a 35% nominal increase and 3% real increase from the 2023/24 revised budget allocation. This means that in 2023/24 the education budget was at MWK 615.8 billion and it moved to MWK 895 billion. Mar/24
Mozambique: Approval of the Mozambique Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 15 December 2023 (Law no. 1/2024, of 9 January, on the management of funds from natural gas), which supports the reinforcement of the budget allocation for the education sector, based on the occurrence of external shocks. Dec/24
Pakistan: Public Action and Social Accountability: Increasing District Education Budgets. Jun/24
Philippines: Budget gains on learning materials for learners with disabilities and on additional personnel for the child protection office of the Department of Education. Dec/23
South Sudan: Education sector budget allocation policy. Nov/23
Uganda: The National Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2024/2025. May/24
Zambia: Education sector budget allocation policy. Oct/23
Ethiopia: National Early Childhood Development and Education ECDE) Policy Framework. 2023
Niger: Validation of the new strategic plan to end child marriage 2024-2028. Mar/24
Senegal: Regularisation of pupils in exam classes without a civil status document. May/24
Pakistan: National Education Emergency. May/24
Yemen: Partnership Compact 2024 – 2028. Jun/24
Cape Verde: Inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs law. Feb/24
Kenya: Learners with Disability Bill. Oct/23
Malawi: The Persons with Disabilities Bill. Dec/23
Moldova: The inclusive education development program in the Republic of Moldova for the years 2024-2027. Dec/23
Ghana: Enhanced budgetary allocation to construct more school desks/furniture across project districts. Nov/23 Vanuatu: Vanuatu Primary School Infrastructure Guidelines (VPSIG). Nov/23
Benin: Inclusion of out-of-school children in the Partnership Pact and the resulting PME4 government project. May/24
Egypt: The School Discipline Regulations Document. Sept/23
Haiti: Appointment of a gender focal point at the Haitian Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training. Nov/23
Nepal: Policy Related to Children of Bagmati Province (2024). Feb/24
Philippines: Resolution approved by the City Council to include division federation of supreme student government president as student representative and additional member of the Naga City school board. Sept/23
Philippines: Memorandum signed by the School Division Office of Puerto Princesa formally authorizing and endorsing Multiply-Ed to capacitate School Governance Councils on Transparency, Participation, And Accountability. Oct/23
Social Accountability Mechanisms
Social accountability mechanisms are multi-level monitoring systems and initiatives, enabling CSOs to monitor education policies, budget implementation, and use the evidence to engage in policy dialogue. These mechanisms empower local communities, increasing their knowledge and capacity to hold duty bearers accountable to meet their educational needs.
62 social accountability mechanisms were created or strengthened between Jan 2023 and June 2024. See the full list here:
Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe: Citizen Voice and Action tool developed to facilitate engagement between community actors and decision maker. 2022.
Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya: Geo-mapping tool and online dashboard to track the progress of implementation of inclusive education policies. 2022
Malawi: Public expenditure tracking and budget analysis tool. 2022.
Philippines: Citizen Engagement to monitor the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan. 2022.
Bolivia: Monitoring implementation of regionalized curriculum and presenting good practices to local authorities. 2022.
Latin America: Monitoring System for the Financing of the Human Right to Education in LAC. 2022.
Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania: Community Champions advocating for inclusive education at community level. 2022.
Liberia: Quarterly Monitoring of implementation of National Policy on Girls Education. 2022.
Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Myanmar: Citizen-led assessments, engaging parents, teachers, and community members in the collection and analysis of data on learning outcomes. 2022.
Pakistan: Monitoring against the Citizens Agenda. 2022.
Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe: Citizen Voice and Action tool used to conduct mass community sensitization on the right to education. 2023.
Zimbabwe: Score card sessions at schools and community level to identify issues affecting the quality of education and suggest recommendations to government. 2023.
Burkina Faso: Disabled Peoples’ Organizations alternative report on the SDGs. 2023.
Bolivia: Alternative report on the fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 2023.
Pakistan: Strengthened Public Action and Social Accountability mechanism by expanding it provincial level. 2023.
Benin: Workshop on girls’ education and wellbeing, lifting data from the local level to the government level. 2023
Liberia: Strengthened channels for engaging policy makers and bringing data into policy spaces. 2023.
Philippines: Institutionalization of social accountability mechanisms at the local level. 2024.
Benin: Scaling up the educ.evaluation-citoyenne.bj platform, enhancing dialogue between service providers and beneficiaries. 2024.
Benin: Citizen consultation sessions on service delivery. 2024.
Uganda: Participatory Budget Clubs responsible for budget monitoring and reporting on service delivery in the education and skills sector. 2024.
Tanzania: Community Information Volunteers will monitor the implementation of the National Strategy for Inclusive Education in their respective districts. 2024.
Tanzania: CSO coalition will monitor the implementation of the National Strategy for Inclusive Education and use findings to engage with Local Government Authorities. 2024.
Ghana: Initiatives to enhance civil society role in promoting transparency and accountability in Ghana’s basic education sector. 2022.
Kenya: Community of Practice, providing a platform for collective learning and advocacy on issues affecting local communities. 2023.
Philippines: Empowering youth to become influential ambassadors for change within their own communities. 2023.
Bangladesh: Community sensitization and engagement to strengthen citizens engagement in education budgeting processes. 2024.
Pakistan: Participatory budgeting sessions, leading to preparation of budget recommendations for government. 2024.
Philippines: Strengthening of School Governance Councils. 2024. Liberia: Strengthening the capacity of stakeholders to conduct citizen monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the National Girls’ Education Policy. 2024.
Lesotho: Multi–sectoral team to guide implementation of the Lesotho Integrated Early Childhood Care and Development Policy. 2022.
Zambia: Pre-budget stakeholder symposium to ensure participatory budgeting involving stakeholders in different sectors. 2022.
Zimbabwe: The Zimbabwe Civil Society Organizations reference group to track and monitor progress on the implementation of the SDGs. 2022.
Zambia, Malawi: Voluntary National Review group to track progress against SDG indicators. 2022.
Pakistan: Education Parliamentarians Caucus (EPC), bringing together key stakeholders for evidence-based policymaking in the education sector. 2022.
El Salvador: Joint Review Workshop Meeting of the Education Sector to discuss progress on the Institutional Strategic Plan. 2022.
Haiti: Local Education Group meeting to discuss new initiatives and engagement of civil society actors. 2022.
Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania: District engagement meetings to share feedback from communities with government officials and other civil society organizations. 2022.
Malawi: Periodic Parliamentary Engagements. 2022.
Zambia: Provincial Education Conference to review challenges and opportunities in the education sector. 2022.
Malawi: Citizen, Voice and Advocacy: local advocacy structure where community leaders meet with the district and constituency members of parliament. 2022.
Zimbabwe: Joint monitoring visits with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. 2022.
Zimbabwe: Voluntary National Review: discussing progress and challenges in achieving SDG 4. 2022.
Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe: Rural Youth Collectives, a platform where youth gather at district level to discuss common issues in education service delivery. 2022.
Zimbabwe: Budget consultations informed by evidence on the gaps in education financing. 2022.
Burundi: Establishment of local consultation frameworks, encouraging education stakeholders to find local solutions to local problems. 2022.
Benin: Education accountability meetings, bringing together key education stakeholders to discuss and assess implementation of education policies at the local level. 2022.
Tunisia. Tunisian Education Forum, bringing together key education stakeholders to discuss educational policies. 2022.
Bangladesh: Policy Conclave, bringing together key stakeholders from various sectors in addressing education issues relevant to youth. 2022.
Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi: Early childhood development thematic committee to discuss financing, infrastructure, and teacher capacitation. 2023.
Bangladesh: Policy Hackathon 2023, leading to participant groups initiating impactful campaigns in their respective communities. 2023.
Angola: Consultative Council of the Ministry of Education. 2023.
Mozambique: Organization of the 1st Civil Society Conference on Basic Education, bringing together stakeholder to discuss how to improve quality in the education sector. 2023.
Global: 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council, leading to a joint statement committing to support efforts to strengthen the right to education. 2023.
Philippines: School Governance Councils serving as spaces where education stakeholders collaborate to address school concerns and help improve school performance. 2023.
Philippines: Enhanced collaboration of school division offices. 2024.
Benin: Meeting of the Monitoring Committee extended to include more stakeholders. 2024.
Ghana: Town Hall Meetings, providing an opportunity to discuss findings from the scorecard exercises and Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys. 2024.
Ghana: District Education Accountability Forums, providing an opportunity for communities to engage with the local government. 2024.
Ghana: Interface with parliamentarians, creating a platform for communities to engage with policy makers. 2024.
Bolivia. Educational summit and multistakeholder dialogues. 2024.
Multiply Ed, Philippines: Endorsement and strengthening of School Governance Councils
I-SAPS, Pakistan: Public Action and Social Accountability: Increasing District Education Budget and expanding of CSENs to provincial level
DEDRAS, Benin: Workshop raising local data on validating the girls’ education and well-being acceleration programme to the national level.
HOPE, Liberia: Engaging policy makers and raising local data to national fora
IID, Bangladesh: Implementation of Social Accountability Action Plan on education financing
I-SAPS, Pakistan: Participatory budgeting sessions om 20 districts
Multiply Ed, Philippines: Enhanced collaboration of school division offices
Multiply Ed, Philippines: School Governance Council trainings
Multiply Ed, Philippines: Institutionalisation of Multiply Eds mechanisms at the local level
DEDRAS, Benin: Meeting of the monitoring committee extended to stakeholders
DEDRAS, Benin: Scaling up the citizen education evaluation platform
DEDRAS, Benin: Citizen evaluation: community consultations on service delivery
School for Life, Ghana: Town Hall Meetings with local education stakeholders to discussion scorecards.
School for Life, Ghana: District Education Accountability Forums
School for Life, Ghana: Interface with citizens and Parliamentarians
CS-BAG, Uganda: establishment of Participatory Budget Clubs
Haki Elimu, Tanzania: Establishing Community Information Volunteers
Haki Elimu, Tanzania: Establishing district CSO coalitions
HOPE, Liberia: Monitoring of National Policy on Girls’ Education strengthened
CEMSE-ACLO, Bolivia: Trainings of local stakeholders, Educational Summits and Multistakeholder dialogues
Inclusion of National Education Coalitions in national policy dialogue forums is a key priority of the programme. Through their participation in forums such as local education groups and SDG 4 follow-up platforms, the coalitions bring the voices of civil society into critical conversations around education planning, budgeting, and implementation. Their presence not only ensures that local realities are reflected in national decisions, but also strengthens accountability, transparency, and relevance in education systems.
With 55 EOL-supported National Education Coalitions now members of their countries’ local education groups and 47 involved in GPE Partnership Compact processes, civil society actors are increasingly seen as vital partners by governments and global stakeholders. Whether influencing curriculum reforms, promoting inclusive strategies, or coordinating sector dialogue, National Education Coalitions are helping shape more equitable and responsive education policies around the world.
By 2024, 93 percent of supported National Education Coalitions are members of their Local Education Group.
Education Out Loud works through four crosscutting themes that strengthen the coherence, effectiveness, and impact of our civil society partnerships.
These themes—synergy, gender equality and inclusion, fragile and conflict-affected contexts, and sustainability—reflect the complex realities our grantees navigate.
They help shape more resilient, inclusive, and collaborative education systems by weaving essential principles into all aspects of our support and learning efforts.
Synergy lies at the heart of Education Out Loud’s collaborative model. By fostering connection and coordination across grantees we create stronger, more unified civil society voices in education advocacy.
Results in the reporting period 2023/2024:
In 2023, Education Out Loud aligned its extension-phase calls for proposals to enable grantees to work on similar timelines, promoting collaboration and shared learning across projects. Grantees in 19 countries and territories developed synergy plans to advance joint advocacy efforts, reduce duplication, and share knowledge. EOL also strengthened links with the GPE Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), encouraging greater alignment and joint engagement between Education Out Loud and KIX grantees.
Education Out Loud champions inclusion and gender equality by embedding these principles across its programming—from coalition structures to advocacy agendas and learning initiatives. We believe no education system is effective unless it reflects the voices and needs of all, especially those most marginalised.
Results in the reporting period 2023/2024:
Education Out Loud issued new guidance in 2023 to clarify how grantees can integrate inclusion and gender into proposals, learning plans, and results frameworks. An internal assessment found varied integration across applications, leading to targeted learning support in regional plans. Updates to Monitoring and Evaluation systems in 2024 further enhanced data collection on inclusion. Global learning partners are now conducting an systems check on gender and inclusion to inform future improvements.
Many Education Out Loud-supported civil society actors work in challenging environments where conflict, instability, or governance breakdowns threaten education systems. Supporting them is critical to maintaining spaces for advocacy and dialogue in these fragile contexts.
Results in the reporting period 2023/2024:
In the time of reporting, Education Out Loud supported grantees in 25 fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Monitoring mechanisms were enhanced, including more frequent risk reporting and new protocols for grantee engagement where in-country visits are not feasible. Learning initiatives led by regional and global partners focused on sustaining education dialogue in crisis situations, with a major study planned on policy dialogue in fragile settings.
Sustainability is not only about lasting results—it’s about building strong, legitimate, and flexible civil society organisations that can adapt and continue their work long after EOL funding ends.
Results in the reporting period 2023/2024:
Education Out Loud reinforced its commitment to sustainability through long-term, flexible funding that supports both programming and core operational needs. This helps grantees deepen their advocacy, build partnerships, and respond to changing contexts. Regional learning initiatives, such as ASPBAE’s work in Asia-Pacific, focused on strengthening coalition capacity and resource mobilisation to ensure continued impact in the face of shrinking civic space and funding.