This week, INEW members and Dóchas CEO Jane-Ann McKenna were delighted to meet with Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), during her visit to Ireland.
The engaging discussion covered GPE’s replenishment campaign, including the Multiply Possibility High-Level Event on 23 September in New York during UNGA, the current education financing landscape and the important role of civil society in advocacy. We also discussed Ireland’s leadership on education and the support we hope to see in the future, alongside key operational issues, including GPE’s commitment to accountability, impact and the diversification of grant agents.
The exchange was an important opportunity to share perspectives and reaffirm our shared goal: ensuring that all children can learn by building and investing in strong education systems worldwide. At this crucial moment for global education and education financing, we reiterate our call for Ireland to make a meaningful pledge to GPE and help ensure that all children, especially those furthest behind, can access quality education.
GPE programmes reached 372 million children in partner countries between 2021 and 2025. GPE is now seeking to mobilise grants and innovative financing for 2026–2030 to support better education for nearly 750 million children in 96 countries. An important part of this effort is the US$ 400 billion pledged by 50 partner countries in domestic education financing for 2026–2030, representing a 32% increase in domestic financing. Donor commitments must now become critical catalysts for these investments in education systems, including in many lower-income countries.
Many thanks to Laura and her team for such a constructive and valuable exchange.
