The Country-Level Guide breaks down in clear and simple steps the way the partnership operates in partner countries.

The guide aims to serve as a “one-stop shop” for country partners to learn about the principles and processes that the partnership promotes. It discusses the different stages of the education sector planning and GPE grant cycles.

The primary target audience for the guide are the members of local education groups: development partners, civil society organizations, grant agents and coordinating agencies.

Developing countries that are not yet partners and interested in joining the partnership can also find information on how to do so (See appendix 1: How to become a GPE member).

In the first part of the guide, GPE’s theory of change is explained and the objectives to strengthen education systems and support mutual accountability through inclusive policy dialogue laid out.

Part I gives an overview of the key actors involved and helps answer questions such as: Who’s included in the local education group? What role does the country lead play? What do we mean by alignment and harmonization? What are grants agents? Appendix 3 on the roles and responsibilities of all key actors is a useful reference guide on who does what at which stage of the process.

Part I also describes the different grants that partner countries can access, the maximum amount for each, and the eligibility criteria to access them. An important section describes the fixed and results-based portions of implementation grants and the requirements for each.

In Part II of the guide, 13 sections detail the steps for all GPE processes, from initial interest in joining the partnership through to grant monitoring and re-applying.

The guide uses simple visual graphics to help readers quickly grasp the content of a section, along with comprehensive definitions and descriptions for those who are interested in a comprehensive step-by-step guide.

Finally, appendices at the end of the guide provide useful reminders on:

• the composition of GPE’s Board of Directors and the role of partner countries focal points (See appendix 2)
• the list of countries eligible for GPE funding (See appendix 4)
• support provided to countries facing fragility or conflict (See appendix 7)
• the quality assurance process for reviewing implementation grant applications (See appendix 8)

We hope that the guide will be useful to partners in developing countries and welcome your suggestions and comments at @email.