IDB and EAA Foundation Partner to Boost Education and Youth Employment in LAC

“We’re pleased to renew our partnership with Education Above All Foundation to advance our shared goal of promoting children’s education in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Ilan Goldfajn, President of the IDB.

In a renewed commitment to combat educational inequality and promote youth economic empowerment, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation have signed a new framework agreement to strengthen their collaboration across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The partnership, set to run from 2025 to 2030, will target some of the region’s most pressing challenges—particularly out-of-school children, school retention, access to quality education, and youth employability.

The collaboration marks a significant step in the global effort to ensure that all children, regardless of socioeconomic or environmental barriers, receive a quality primary education and access to the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce.

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A Bold Financial Commitment for Inclusive Education

Under the new agreement:

• The EAA Foundation will contribute up to $40 million in grants.

• The IDB will allocate approximately $60 million in loans.

Together, the two institutions plan to finance educational projects designed to enroll and retain out-of-school children and those at risk of dropping out, with a strong emphasis on marginalized and climate-vulnerable communities.

“We’re pleased to renew our partnership with Education Above All Foundation to advance our shared goal of promoting children’s education in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Ilan Goldfajn, President of the IDB.

“Together, we’ll focus on enrolling and retaining out-of-school children and enhancing skills development for future jobs.”

“This renewed partnership… reinforces our shared commitment to ensure that every child and young person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality primary education and the skills they need to build a brighter future,” added Mohammed Al Kubaisi, Acting CEO of the EAA Foundation.

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Tackling Systemic Education Barriers

The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at:

• Reducing dropout rates and ensuring school completion.

• Providing access to inclusive, high-quality education.

• Creating opportunities for vocational training and skills development.

• Supporting post-secondary and alternative education pathways.

• Promoting youth employment and self-employment initiatives.

This renewed partnership will also explore integrated interventions that address the learning needs of students affected by extreme climate events, a growing concern in the Caribbean and other vulnerable areas.

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Driving Youth Empowerment and Economic Growth

Recognizing the critical link between education and economic resilience, the partnership is also geared toward improving youth employability, particularly among disadvantaged groups. Initiatives will include:

• Skills development aligned with labor market demands.

• Entrepreneurship training to support self-employment pathways.

• Promotion of vocational and technical education, especially in rural or underserved regions.

• Linking education programs with local economic development efforts.

These efforts aim to reduce youth unemployment and underemployment, support inclusive growth, and break cycles of poverty through education.

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Innovation in Financing and Regional Collaboration

Both institutions have agreed to co-design innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize new resources for education and skill-building. These efforts will include:

• Leveraging blended finance models.

• Partnering with philanthropic, private, and multilateral entities.

• Utilizing existing platforms like the IDB’s ONE Caribbean program, which coordinates support for regional educational and economic development initiatives.

The framework also emphasizes the importance of coordination with other development actors, ensuring alignment with national education priorities and regional strategies.

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A Track Record of Impact

This is not the first collaboration between the IDB and EAA Foundation. Since 2019, the two organizations have partnered on education projects in Haiti, reaching over 112,000 children. Building on that success, the new agreement represents a scaling-up of joint efforts, with expanded geographic coverage and strategic focus areas.

A Shared Vision for Education and Opportunity

This renewed partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank and Education Above All Foundation demonstrates a clear commitment to tackling educational exclusion and youth unemployment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through sustained investment, innovative strategies, and collaborative leadership, the initiative promises to bring meaningful change to communities that have long faced systemic barriers to education and economic opportunity.

As the 2025–2030 framework rolls out, it stands as a powerful model for how education and development partnerships can uplift entire generations, setting the stage for a more inclusive, skilled, and empowered future across the region.