Education Out Loud (EoL)
Advocacy & Social Accountability (ASA) Project
Implementation period: January 2024 to December 2024
Total budget of the Project: USD 411,000 equivalent to BDT 45,415,501

This proposed project is intricately tailored to the context, aiming to enhance the National Education Coalition's capabilities in engaging civil society effectively. Its primary focus is on strengthening the constituency for education advocacy, particularly for marginalized groups, by influencing gender-responsive education planning. The objective is to ensure inclusive government-led education system reforms, holding state functionaries accountable for advancing SDG4 and Leaving No One Behind. The project's multifaceted approach involves generating evidence, providing alternative analyses, and performing a watchdog role to engage with education sector plans, Local Education Groups (LEG), policymakers, and legislators. Emphasizing the vital role of civil society, the project aims to prevent the 'elite capture' of policy spaces, fostering inclusive debates and deliberations. It strives to develop good governance and a learning-friendly environment by engaging communities, enhancing the knowledge and skills of the younger generation, and promoting technology and critical thinking. Collaboration is integral to the project, as CAMPE works with other organizations and forums sharing similar objectives. The systematic process involves strengthening existing networks, developing new ones, and maintaining excellence in capacity building. CAMPE prioritizes mutual partnerships, focusing on organizational learning, transparency, accountability, and participation practices. The ultimate goal is to influence government policy-making departments toward favorable changes in education policies and practices.

CAMPE, the national civil society education coalition, has diverse representation to contribute to public policy discussions and influence change in the national education system. CAMPE actively engages in national-level education sector dialogue and policy discussions. For instance, it pushes for the approval of the long-pending Education Act as part of its ongoing efforts. CAMPE utilizes formal mechanisms like ELCG and EDP and employs various technical teams, task forces, working groups, and ad-hoc engagement methods. Frequent meetings with Education Ministers, Secretaries, and senior officials address critical issues. Additionally, CAMPE meets with Finance and Planning Ministers to advocate for increased budget allocations for education. During the 2024-26 periods, CAMPE will address key issues and the needs of vulnerable groups based on right-to-education principles, focusing on four main strategies: Networking, Informing, Developing, and Influencing (NIDI).

This proposed project is intricately tailored to the context, aiming to enhance the National Education Coalition's capabilities in engaging civil society effectively. Its primary focus is on strengthening the constituency for education advocacy, particularly for marginalized groups, by influencing gender-responsive education planning. Throughout the project period, it is anticipated to directly benefit approximately 20,000 individuals and indirectly impact 100,000 beneficiaries across Bangladesh, reflecting the far-reaching impact of CAMPE's concerted efforts.

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen national civil society engagement in inclusive and gender responsive education policy development, implementation and monitoring to improve quality in education. The specific Objectives of the project are to:
• Bolster the CAMPE's capabilities to become a more inclusive national coalition for education, especially for marginalized communities and groups.
• To fortify the learning collaborations and promote knowledge sharing for enhancing the institutional development of civil society organizations, with a special emphasis on advancing the principles of social accountability, inclusion, and gender equality.
• Strengthen monitoring mechanisms to improve quality, effectiveness and gender-responsive education planning and policy development.

The primary focus of the project is to strengthen the national civil society engagement in inclusive and gender-responsive education policy development, implementation, and monitoring to enhance the quality of education. Reflecting on the objectives, the project the extension of previous achievements with a focus on sustainability and building upon lessons learned. The emphasis on social accountability mechanisms aligns with the idea that behavioral change requires consistent effort over the years, and this program aims to provide the necessary continuity.

The outcomes of the project are as follows:
• Enhanced capacity of CAMPE to evolve into a more inclusive national coalition that effectively represents both Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and marginalized communities.
• Reinforcement of CSOs by enhancing their capacity to work accountably and inclusively in order to effectively represent and safeguard the rights of marginalized communities through the establishment of robust networks and coalitions.
• Improved collaborative learning through shared knowledge and the reinforcement of institutional development in the areas of inclusion, gender equality, and social accountability.
• Strengthening the capacities of CSOs to influence education policies, aligned with SDG4 and the right to education principles, with the aim of promoting inclusive and gender-responsive education policies, plans, and programs.
• Reinforcement of community engagement, enabling active participation in monitoring and accountability mechanisms that expedite access, improve learning outcomes, and advance gender equality, with the spirit of Leave No One Behind.

Addressing Gender issue
The project aims to enhance equitable access to safe, quality education for girls and boys. CAMPE will address the root causes of gender-based violence faced by girls and women in marginalized communities. Empowering girls and women for gender equality in education involves reforming school programs, incorporating sensitive teaching–learning methods, and enhancing teachers' sensitivity through a blended learning approach. Recognizing the impact of socio-economic backgrounds on ethnic factors, the project targets indigenous people in remote areas, addressing barriers to education. Strong interventions in educational institutions and communities aim to combat gender-based violence, creating safer environments for girls and women. Addressing child marriage as a significant factor in secondary education discontinuation, interventions focus on commute safety and reducing incidents of child marriage. Participants, prioritizing smaller ethnic identities, linguistic and cultural backgrounds, diverse gender and sexual identities, and persons with disabilities, will be selected from disadvantaged backgrounds.

These activities are geared towards enhancing monitoring mechanisms, with a focus on improving the quality, effectiveness, and gender-transformative aspects of education planning and policy development. The goal is to uplift the most marginalized sectors and individuals facing adversity, contributing significantly to the overall progress in achieving SDG4 and ensuring the spirit of SDG Leave No One Behind.