About
ESSA is an African led non-profit established in 2016. The organisation is registered as a legal entity in Ghana and the United Kingdom, and registration is underway in Kenya. We connect educators, policymakers, funders, employers and young people with African data and evidence to improve education outcomes. Our work extends beyond education to connect with and address other development challenges including early childhood care and education, early childhood development, youth employment, and more. Enhancing gender equality and social inclusion runs across all ESSA’s projects and initiatives. We are also exploring the impact of climate change, artificial intelligence, technology, etc. on education and vice versa. We focus on education evidence for action to enable positive change in people’s lives.
Mission. Africa's demographic transition presents a major opportunity. Whether this becomes a demographic dividend will depend on education systems equipping young people with relevant knowledge, skills and pathways to work. Decision-makers need credible evidence to guide policy, implementation and investment. ESSA helps bridge this gap by connecting evidence, people and institutions to improve education policy, implementation and investment across Africa. As Africa’s trusted evidence-to-action partner for education systems and the youth’s transition into employment, ESSA combines evidence infrastructure, synthesis, policy engagement, capacity strengthening, grant making, convening, and implementation learning to help decision-makers act with confidence.
Focus areas
- Education
- Gender equality
- Climate and environment
- Livelihoods and employment
- Disability inclusion
- Digital inclusion
- Health
Activities and approach
Approaches
- Training and capacity strengthening
- Advocacy and campaigning
- Research and evidence
- Policy influencing
- Systems strengthening
- Grantmaking
- Convening and networking
- Technology and digital solutions
Capabilities
- Lead programme delivery
- Local implementation
- Consortium leadership
- Consortium membership
- Community access and relationships
- Research and evidence
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Policy and advocacy
- Training and capacity strengthening
- Grant management
- Convening
- Innovation or technology
Populations served
- Adolescents and young people
- Women and girls
- People with disabilities
- Teachers
- Other underserved communities
- Refugees and displaced people
Support sought
- Flexible or core funding
- Project or programme funding
- Contracts
- Investment
- Consortium opportunities
- Advocacy partners
- Technical assistance
- Capacity strengthening
- Research partners
- Delivery partners
- Introductions and network access
- Pro bono expertise
- Funding opportunities