Investing in Futures: 2024 Annual Results Report
The Annual Results Report presents the progress made by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and its partners in 2023–2024, the first half of the Fund’s four-year Strategic Plan.
The report emphasizes ECW's strengthened focus on tracking and achieving better learning outcomes for crisis-affected children and adolescents, and on reaching the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk children. It also features an analysis of global trends, including a concerning decline in overall humanitarian funding to education against a backdrop of growing needs, fueled by escalating conflicts, forced displacement, climate-induced disasters and other crises.
The report demonstrates that it is possible to unlock the potential of crisis-affected children through the power of a quality education, calling for urgent additional funding to ensure the 234 million children caught in crises get the urgent education support they need.
Results Highlights
Amid growing global challenges, ECW and its partners made significant strides – reaching more children, enhancing the quality and equity of education, and mobilizing vital resources for some of the world’s most complex crises.
By the numbers
Progress in learning: Key outcomes from 2023–2024*
96% of programmes reported an increase
91% of non-formal programmes reported rates above 60%
64% of programmes reported rates above 75%
88% and 78% of MYRPs reported improvements, respectively
*These outcome-level results are based on data from eligible programmes that provided evidence. For details on the methodology and size of the evidence base, see the 2024 Annual Results Report.
Delivering results together
In 2024, ECW brought together over 100 organizations – including host governments, UN agencies, local and international civil society, philanthropic foundations and private sector leaders – to collectively deliver educational results in the world’s most complex crises, advancing shared strategic priorities.
Gender equality
ECW is deepening investment in programming that shifts gender norms and facilitates equitable access and learning.
- 3 in 4 programmes show gender-equitable improvements in participation.
- 80% of MYRPs are supported by Gender Lead Organisations at the country-level.
Localization and community participation
ECW is scaling up support to local actors and national ownership.
- Nearly a third of funding is committed or planned for transfer to local and national actors for programmes approved in 2024.
- 15 programmes show improvements in meaningful engagement with local and national actors, including local women’s organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities and refugee-led organizations.
Connecting education and climate action
ECW is scaling up its responses to climate-induced disasters while supporting future-ready education systems.
- 528,000 children affected by climate-related emergencies reached with rapid education support in 2023–2024.
- 3.4 million girls and boys – 41% of all children reached – benefitted from programmes that supported climate change adaptation.
Disability inclusion
ECW is scaling up efforts to reach children with disabilities.
- 155,000 children with disabilities reached in 2023-2024.
- Increased budgets in 2024 target disability inclusion interventions, accelerating progress towards ECW’s goal of reaching 10% of children with disabilities.
Humanitarian-development-peace nexus
ECW is catalyzing stronger coordination and partnerships to harmonize approaches across education and other relevant sectors, enhancing programme complementarity and alignment with national frameworks and development efforts.
- Close to half of MYRPs report improved coordination across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
Resource mobilization
ECW is broadening and diversifying its funding base amid a constrained aid environment.
- In 2024, ECW secured first-time commitments from Japan and Italy – bringing all G7 donors on board, and securing new public donor pledges from Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, US PRM and the European Commission.
- An innovative financing partnership with the Swiss Cantonal Banks was formalized, providing a sustainable investment opportunity and efficient donation mechanism.
Call to Action
ECW is appealing for urgent additional contributions to reach its US$1.5 billion goal by 2026 and deliver quality education to 20 million crisis-affected children. Without decisive action, millions risk being left behind – not due to a lack of solutions, but because of chronic underinvestment.
Their education cannot wait.
Masa, Gaza
“Since joining the sessions at the educational tent, I have felt some hope that life could return to us.”
Zénabou, Central African Republic
“Today, I can read, write and count, just like the other children. One day, I'd like to work in the humanitarian sector.”
Nyehoth, Kenya
“With our school transformation, I feel inspired to learn and create – the colorful surroundings make me feel like anything is possible.”
Latest News & stories
