1. Basic Idea of GEC Membership
The UNESCO Global Education Coalition is an open partnership that brings together organisations from different sectors, including governments, UN agencies, NGOs, companies, networks, and universities. Its goal is to jointly develop innovative solutions for education systems worldwide and to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education.
Today, the Coalition includes more than 200 partners from over 100 countries, working together to support inclusive and equitable education.
2. What Organisations Commit to When Joining
There is no membership fee or mandatory service requirement. Organisations are not required to provide all educational materials free of charge, and no formal certification is needed to join. However, organisations are expected to contribute meaningfully to advancing education, for example through:
Providing in-kind or programmatic support, for example:
- Educational programs
- Digital learning solutions
- Teacher training initiatives
- Research and data contributions
- Networks or collaborative platforms
- Expertise in education policy
- Skills development programs for youth
Many members provide free access to resources, including courses, tools, or training programs. While common, this is not a formal requirement.
Organisations should align with the Coalition’s key focus areas, such as:
- Digital education / EdTech
- Teacher development
- Skills and employability
- Gender equality
- Access to education and connectivity
These areas represent the Coalition’s core priorities for its programs and initiatives.
Willingness to collaborate with other partners
The Coalition serves as a platform for collaboration among multiple organisations, rather than as a stand-alone initiative.
Typical expectations are:
- Participation in working groups or thematic missions
- Joint initiatives or projects with other partners
- Exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices
3. Typical Contributions from Coalition Members
Examples of contributions from existing partners include:
- Free digital learning platforms
- Teacher training programs
- Open educational data
- Webinars and online courses
- Youth skills development initiatives
- Research and policy analysis
- EdTech tools or educational infrastructure
These examples illustrate that contributions to the Coalition can take many different forms, depending on each organization’s expertise and capabilities.
4. What Matters:
➡️ A visible contribution to the global education ecosystem
➡️ A willingness to collaborate with other partners
➡️ A clear alignment with SDG 4