Progress in implementing framework to increase funding for global education

Ottawa, June 7, 2017 -- During its meeting in Ottawa, from June 6 - 7, 2017, the GPE Board of Directors made important progress in operationalizing an ambitious financing and funding framework for global education, approved at a special meeting in March 2017.  

The meeting occurs at a pivotal moment following the recent launch of GPE’s Case for Investment, the partnership’s fundraising document for its upcoming replenishment. GPE’s goal is to reach financing of US$2 billion a year by 2020. For the upcoming replenishment, GPE is seeking donor contributions totaling US$3.1 billion over three years from 2018 to 2020 to achieve the goals set out in GPE 2020, the partnership’s strategy.  This would significantly increase GPE’s reach and enable the partnership to support up to 870 million children in the world's poorest countries, marking an important step change in investments in education. A successful replenishment is key to implementing the financing and funding framework and continued progress toward GPE 2020.

The Board also approved the operationalization of a newly created fund that incentivizes low and lower-middle income countries to leverage additional funding from external sources, generating at least US$3 for every US$1 of GPE support. Countries that are eligible and ready may apply for funding beginning in 2018.

In addition, the Board reviewed GPE’s first annual results report, highlighting continued progress in the strengthening of education systems across the partnership. Some of the strongest results are in the areas of domestic resource mobilization and data improvements.

The partnership will focus efforts in a number of key areas over the next few years in order to achieve progress, including strengthening learning assessment systems, targeting of support toward gender equality and extending early childhood education. The 2015/2016 Results Report is expected to be launched on June 20, 2017.

The GPE Board of Directors very much appreciated Ambassador Brauteset and Ms. Liesbet Steer joining the meeting to discuss the work of the Education Commission. In addition, the Board was pleased to welcome and hear from Ms Yasmine Sherif, the newly appointed head of Education Cannot Wait. Across the education sector there is a shared determination to generate increased investments in education. With the growing momentum and critical efforts to fully finance education, we can achieve the global goal for education (SDG 4).