Education
Supporting education at the grassroots
We invest in the local educators and community organisations who reach vulnerable and marginalised children, so that every child can read, count and keep learning.
Our approach
Local educators already know the children being left behind
Community-based organisations are often the first to reach children who are out of school or falling behind, but they rarely have the funding or support to do it well. Our education work backs them, and builds a love of reading that lasts beyond the classroom.
Programmes
How we support learning
Grassroots Accelerated Education Fund
Micro-grants and hands-on support for community educators teaching out-of-school and underserved children.
How GAEF worksAccelerated literacy and numeracy
Catch-up classes using the COAL Accelerated Learning Model, so children learn quickly and can return to structured schooling.
Libraries and reading
School libraries, book clubs, creative writing and book-to-film screenings that turn learning to read into a love of reading.
Libraries and readingStrengthening grassroots actors
Free training for community-led and volunteer-run organisations in governance, project management, fundraising, safeguarding and more.
The trainingStakeholder engagement
Forums and conversations that bring communities, government and partners together to back grassroots education.
Stakeholder engagementGrassroots Accelerated Education Fund
From a small grant to a child back in class
GAEF runs as a pilot from 2024 to 2028, with grant cohorts in 2024 and 2025 and the next planned for 2027.
1. Community organisations apply
Registered, non-profit community organisations and social enterprises focused on literacy apply through our open call.
2. Grants and hands-on support
Selected partners receive micro-grants of up to ₦2,000,000, plus training, the COAL Accelerated Learning Model and regular check-ins.
3. Children catch up
Learners build foundational reading, maths and digital skills in small, focused classes.
4. Back into school, to stay
The aim is for children to stay in school with or without COAL, because their communities own the process.
Strengthening grassroots actors
Empowering Citizen Aid Actors
Small, community-led and volunteer-run organisations do vital work but rarely get training in how to run an organisation well. Our free online series gives them the essentials, taught by practitioners from across the sector.
- Corporate governance for nonprofits
- Project management
- Resource mobilisation and fundraising
- Communications for development
- Financial management for nonprofits
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Affordable digital tools for nonprofits
- Safeguarding and psychosocial wellbeing
Stakeholder engagement
Bringing everyone to the table
Grassroots education lasts when communities, schools, government and funders pull in the same direction. Our stakeholder advocacy forums share what GAEF partners are learning and build support for children who are out of school.
For community organisations
Apply for a GAEF grant
Calls are announced here and on our social media.
No call is open right now
The next GAEF cohort is planned for 2027. Follow us on social media to hear when applications open.
Help a child catch up
Your gift goes to community educators and the children in their classes.