TaxEd creates a sustained and high-profile presence in global forums, facilitating connections between civil society actors and international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank around the role of tax in financing SDG 4.
Collaboration with governments and teachers organizations is key to achieve maximum impact
Our collaborative approach to advocacy is already proving fruitful. In Zambia, TaxEd works closely with national revenue authorities who regularly invite our teams to discuss how to raise more funds through progressive tax reforms.
High-level representatives from the Ministries of Education and Finance actively participate in validation meetings, where findings were presented to stakeholders and they were able to provide feedback to the final drafts of TaxEd’s research reports on the financing of education and attainment of SDG 4, and the analysis of Zambian taxation system.
In Nepal, the alliance is working to increase civil society organizations’ understanding, engagement in the budget preparation process at district and national levels to improve government accountability.
Specifically, the alliance conducted trainings targeted to the Sihara district, because TaxEd-produced research pointed out that in this district only 5% of education actors got involved in the budget planning process. The education ministry has expressed its appreciation in enhancing civil society organization capacity in budget participation.
Working with teachers organizations is essential to achieve the changes in policy and finance to reach SDG 4. Education International is part of the alliance along with their affiliates in the three focal countries.
Enhancing their capacity to analyze the education budget at different levels, and to understand the complexities that underpin its size, is helping create deeper dialogues to find sustainable solutions that work for all.
TaxEd work in Senegal provides a good example of using research to explore innovative solutions in tax reform to raise funds for education.
The validation of the findings by relevant stakeholders including government officials, other CSOs, academics, and community members, enabled teachers organizations to voice their concerns and to draft conclusions and recommendations together with members of the TaxEd Alliance.