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Sweden scales up its flexible funding to UNESCO鈥檚 education programmes
Sweden has awarded an additional $3.7 million to UNESCO, upscaling the contribution of some $48 million (430 million Swedish Kronor) it gave the Organization in July 2018 as part of the strategic partnership. Sweden is the first country to provide UNESCO with a voluntary un-earmarked contribution to UNESCO's education programmes.
The additional contribution and partnership were discussed by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoualy, and Sweden鈥檚 Minister of Education, Anna Elsa Gunilla Ekstr枚m during the Minister鈥檚 visit to UNESCO on 14 November.
鈥淪weden support helps us to strengthen our action in critical areas. Sweden鈥檚 decision to provide non-earmarked funding is extremely important to ensure flexibility and predictability for UNESCO鈥檚 work鈥, said the Director-General.
During their meeting the Director-General stressed the importance of the strategic partnership that UNESCO enjoys with Sweden, and commended the country鈥檚 strong financial and political support for UNESCO, recalling Sweden鈥檚 positive, and encouraging evaluation of the Organization鈥檚 work.
"Sweden鈥檚 un-earmarked funding to the education sector will enable UNESCO to scale up SDG4 implementation and to reach those furthest behind鈥, declared Minister Ekstr枚m during the meeting, in reference to the 4th Goal鈥攐n education鈥攐f the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030.
The additional contribution will bolster support for all of UNESCO鈥檚 education activities, notably programmes aiming to bring quality inclusive education to populations affected by crisis or displacement.
Through the Programme Cooperation Agreement (2018 鈥 2021), Sweden has been providing, inter alia, approximately USD 36.5 million of un-earmarked global support to the Education Sector, contributing to sector-wide policy and planning; technical and vocational education and training (TVET); literacy and foundational skills; teachers; comprehensive sexuality education; education for sustainable development; as well as research and foresight. Such flexibility of funding is critically important for promoting programmatic coherence and efficiency, as well as for giving a longer-term perspective, which is vital for the Organization.
In 2018, Sweden was the largest donor to UNESCO and to the Education Sector. Through its generous multi-year financing commitments, the Organization has been able to strengthen its planning and streamline its programmes, resulting in improved delivery.
