The History of IFFEd

Addressing the finance gap for education

The Education Commission report was published following global consultations and new research and analysis from more than 300 partners in 105 countries that recognised the critical education finance gap for lower-middle-income countries. The report highlighted an urgent and ever-worsening learning and skills crisis that, if left unaddressed, would leave half of the world’s children and youth out of school or failing to learn by 2030.

As a result, IFFEd was developed by four multilateral development banks and a number of bilateral donors. It benefited from extensive consultations with larger audiences, including an online consultation with more than 50 organisations. Following its launch, it has been endorsed in a number of global meetings and received the support of a diverse range of global experts and champions.

Timeline

• 2015

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted during the UN Sustainable Development Summit. The SDGs include SDG4, which is dedicated to ensuring inclusive, equitable, quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, everywhere.

• 2016

The Education Commission published its groundbreaking report, The Learning Generation, which highlighted an urgent and ever-worsening global learning and skills crisis. The report drew upon global consultations and research and analysis from more than 300 partners in 105 countries. The report recognised the critical education finance gap for lower-middle-income countries, and put forward the proposal for a new international finance facility.

• 2017

IFFEd was presented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the G20 and acknowledged in its Joint Leaders’ Declaration with a recommendation for further development.

• 2022

The UN Secretary-General launched IFFEd during the Transforming Education Summit, helping to transform education and skills development for 1.2 billion children and youth in lower-middle-income countries.

• 2023

The G20 made IFFEd a key recommendation in their review of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) financing, and IFFEd was established in Geneva, Switzerland.

• 2024

IFFEd was officially operationalised and appointed a Founding CEO. IFFEd also appointed a Board, following a previous 12-month period when an Interim Board oversaw IFFEd’s establishment and early implementation, with strategic support from a High-Level Advisory Group.

IFFEd signed a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It secured top-tier credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P.

• 2025

IFFEd became one of only a handful of organisations to receive full rights and immunity privileges under the Swiss Host Act, and received board approval for its first programmes in the Philippines and India.

• 2026

IFFEd signed an official partnership with the World Bank, and announced its first co-financed programme in Uzbekistan. IFFEd also announced its first programme with the Asian Development Bank in India.