As a trusted partner in Sub-Saharan Africa we help societies achieve effective and sustainable change in education and society. Working closely with policy makers, institutions and partners, we combine local knowledge and global expertise to deliver value for money development solutions.
Education and schools
We work in partnership with key institutions to improve the service that schools provide to children and young people. We recognise the role of strong school leadership and professional development for teachers in driving sustainable and effective change. By promoting quality education, sharing international best practice, and facilitating dialogue between policy makers, practitioners and education leaders, we influence whole-system reform to improve learning outcomes.
Through the Quality Education Strategic Support Programme, we partner with the Government of Ethiopia to improve the quality, access and equity of education. We also work to increase the efficiency of resources allocated to the sector.
Through the Teacher Performance and Integrity in Kenya Programme, we support the Teachers Service Commission to address concerns about teachers in Kenyan schools, namely chronic absenteeism, discipline and performance appraisal.
Higher education
We work with governments, education and training institutions, industry, academics and international donors to provide international education opportunities and improve the quality of higher education across Sub-Saharan Africa. By sharing international best practice and creating opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, research, exchange and mobility, we help to improve learning and employability outcomes for students, scholars, researchers and academics.
In partnership with leading oil and gas companies (Tullow Oil, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd and British Gas), we work to address skills gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing scholarships for vocational studies, technical training and postgraduate degrees in the UK.
Our annual Going Global conference offer is an open forum for global leaders of international education to discuss issues facing the international education community.
Through the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research our project team helps to increase the capacity of African universities and researchers to conduct research that directly contributes to social and public policy in Africa.
Skills and entrepreneurship
We work with governments, businesses, training and higher education institutions, international donors and civil society organisations to improve skills, encourage entrepreneurship and promote social enterprise. From supporting curriculum reform and institutional changes, to sharing international best practice, to equipping young people with the skills to get a job or start a business, we work to improve the employment prospects of young Africans and ensure skills systems meet the needs of employers and industries.
We have commissioned the Institute of Education at the University of London to undertake the Universities, Employability and Inclusive Development Research and Advocacy Project. Through this research we aim to contribute to the development of university systems in Africa and the UK. By understanding challenges and documenting examples of good practice, we intend to draw out recommendations for policy and practice that promote employability and inclusive development.
Through reality television shows and online competitions we are motivating young Africans to consider entrepreneurship as a route to work and are engaging the wider community in this process. The international and local partnerships we facilitate offer entrepreneurs opportunities to build business skills and provide a channel to access local and international business communities, peer and industry networks and economic clusters of governments.
Justice, security and conflict resolution
We believe that the rule of law, access to justice and conflict resolution frameworks are fundamental to human security and the development of stable, democratic states in which all citizens’ voices can be heard and economic opportunities can be realised.
Through the Justice for All Programme we are working with stakeholders across the whole Nigerian justice sector (both formal and informal) to improve the capacity, accountability and responsiveness of key institutions and support them in working with civil society as part of a co-ordinated and equitable justice sector. Twelve co-ordination groups have been established at the federal and state levels to drive a broad range of activities, including supporting timely case resolution. With key stakeholders, a community policing strategy has been developed, focusing on answering the needs of the community and improving police service standards. Model Police Stations have been established, including Family Support Units to support victims of gender-based and domestic violence. In the first year of these interventions, community satisfaction with the police has risen by more than 15 per cent in some states.
Governance and civil society
We support government agencies, policy makers, non-governmental organisations and community leaders to collaborate locally and internationally, to promote gender equality and encourage the development of inclusive, cohesive and accountable societies.
Through the Civil Society Support Programme, a capacity development programme, we support Ethiopia’s civil society and its contribution to the country’s national development, poverty reduction and advancement of good governance. We target hard-to-reach civil society organisations and citizens. Since its inception, over 420 organisations from across Ethiopia have benefited from capacity development support and grant mechanisms.
Through the Zambia Accountability Programme, we support the effective collaboration among elected leaders, government officials, civic groups and private businesses to solve development challenges, and encourage equitable and inclusive access to public services and economic opportunity. With emphasis on political economy, we commission research to help stakeholders better understand ‘how’ political change happens in Zambia, identify previous obstacles to reform, and inform future pathways to change.
Through the Horn of Africa Leadership and Learning for Action project, we support young people to become engaged in national and local development in three pilot countries: Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan. We work with youth and community members to develop their skills and knowledge in leadership and community cohesion. Youth are encouraged to use creative ways of engaging their communities through social action and campaigns.