Joining forces for lasting change with Co-impact
Our partnership with Co-Impact is built on a shared belief that lasting change for children happens when organisations from different sectors combine their strengths. Together, we are investing in locally led solutions that strengthen public systems, helping millions of children affected by conflict and crisis access the support they need to learn and thrive.
Strengthening the systems children rely on
In Kenya and Nigeria, overlapping crises are leaving millions of children without access to learning. In Kenya, more than 250,000 refugee children remain outside the national education system, while drought has forced another 2 million children out of school. In Nigeria, 17.8 million children are out of school, nearly half of them in conflict-affected areas, making it the largest education crisis in Africa.
Children affected by conflict and crisis need more than access to school. Their ability to learn and thrive depends on education systems that are connected to health, wellbeing and community support. Yet funding is often fragmented, with short-term investments and isolated approaches limiting efforts to strengthen the public systems children rely on. Local organisations are best placed to respond to children's realities, but they often lack the flexible, long-term funding needed to scale their impact through government systems.
Bringing different actors together
In 2026, we launched a five-year, USD 30 million partnership with Co-Impact to strengthen public systems in Kenya and Nigeria, with the ambition of supporting millions of children.
Co-Impact is a unique partner because it brings together stakeholders from philanthropy, government and the private sector to back locally rooted and refugee-led organisations with long-term, flexible funding and strategic support. Together, these organisations work alongside governments to strengthen education systems, shape policy, train teachers, support families and build solutions that can last.
Collaboration creates lasting impact
Our partnership with Co-Impact demonstrates how collaboration across sectors can unlock greater impact than any one organisation could achieve alone. Our partnership will support local organisations to embed proven approaches into public systems, helping governments expand and sustain them over time. By aligning with national priorities in Kenya and Nigeria, we aim to strengthen education systems that are better equipped to support children affected by conflict, displacement and climate-related crises.
Our goal is to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for 2.5 million children while creating stronger systems that continue to serve future generations.
Partner: Co-impact
Partner since: 2026
Geography: Kenya and Nigeria
Funding: US$30 million (EUR 25.7 million)
About Co-Impact
Co-Impact brings together funders and local changemakers to strengthen health, education and economic systems. Through long-term, flexible funding and strategic support, it backs locally rooted organisations to drive sustainable change at scale.