CATALYZE EduFinance: Early Lessons from Five Activities in Sub-Saharan Africa

This virtual event is organized by the Education Finance Network, which convenes diverse education stakeholders with a focus on directing non-state resources toward creating inclusive, high-quality education in low-and middle-income countries. 

The event is exclusive for Education Finance Network members. If your organization is not a member of the Network, you can apply for membership here.

The USAID CATALYZE EduFinance activity uses a blended finance approach—leveraging USAID funds and private capital—to improve access to education and enhance learning outcomes for children and youth. The program is supporting non-state actors working in early childhood care and education, primary and secondary education, and youth workforce development. CATALYZE EduFinance is a learning initiative testing different implementation models to build a strong evidence base and inform the replicability and scale of a variety of approaches. The program is piloting various models across regions, including in five African countries—Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia—which are the focus of this event.

This 60-minute event will feature presentations from implementing partners in these five countries, focusing on the following themes that have emerged as drivers of success for each model:

• How best to collaborate with financial institutions to support non-state schools.
• The impact of rewards and results-based approaches.
• How to effectively engage and support school leaders, students, and families.
• How to successfully partner with governments to strengthen the policy environment.

Following the presentations, participants will be invited to join a breakout room of their choice for an opportunity to engage more in-depth on one of the above topics.