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OVERVIEW


What is it?

Investing in inclusive, quality education for all, in all contexts and levels of education, is an essential dimension for the implementation of EU external policies and the achievement of the Union's geopolitical priorities.
The 2021 Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe adopted in June 2021 includes education as an area of cooperation in both geographic and thematic programmes and commits to contribute at least 20 % of the ODA funded under the Instrument to social inclusion and human development, including education.
Furthermore, the objective is to increase the education spending from 7% to at least 10% for all the programmes financed by NDICI-Global Europe.
Tools and Methods Series Reference Document No. 27 "Strengthening education systems to provide learning for all" (2020) provides guidance, practical know-how and information on the education sector to support the EU staff in delivering on EU's commitment to providing quality, safe and inclusive education for all.
The first part of the reference document describes global and EU policy commitments to education, including an introduction to education systems and EU engagement and contribution to development in the sector.
The second part provides a set of concise Practical Guidance Notes on different topics that are relevant to programme design and implementation in the education sector. Each note includes a summary of the subject, practical ideas on how the EU engages and provides support, case studies on good practice from the EU programmes, selected references and links to further reading.


What can it be used for?

The reference document and its accompanying Practical Guidance Notes provide support for the various steps entailed in engagement with the education sector in partner countries, including sector coordination and policy dialogue, sector analysis, programme and project design (identification and formulation), implementation and monitoring & evaluation. They are intended to assist EU staff and partners in adopting a strategic, evidence-based and context-specific approach across the entire programme cycle, in line with EU policy priorities and international commitments to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.


When can it be used?

At any stage of the Intervention Cycle Management, as the Reference Document provides technical / thematic guidance related to programming, policy dialogue, intervention design, monitoring, and evaluation, they offer concrete operational support tailored to the specific requirements and challenges of each phase. This ensures coherence with EU priorities while enabling flexible and context-responsive engagement in the education sector.


Who can use it?

This document primarily targets the EU staff working in the education sector. However, it can also be useful for the EU staff working at Headquarters as well as the other development practitioners in Member States and the EU's development and implementing partners. It serves as a common reference point to promote a coherent and harmonised approach to education cooperation, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and alignment with EU external action objectives.


What are its strengths?

The Reference Document provides an overview of the global context and the EU's role in supporting the strengthening of education systems in partner countries. Chapter 1 describes the global agenda for education and how EU policies and instruments contribute. Chapter 2 provides an overview of how education systems are structured and function and how they change, drawing on global evidence and good practice. Chapter 3 looks more closely at how the EU can support the strengthening of education systems to operate coherently and effectively at all levels.
It summarises lessons from EU programmes and presents a simplified intervention logic to map how the EU can contribute to education system strengthening through policy dialogue, financing, technical cooperation and capacity development. Each chapter includes a list of further readings.
The accompanying guidance notes focus on specific themes and issues in education. Each one of them is illustrated with case studies drawn from EU experience. They provide simple and usable tools for EU staff as they consider how best to engage and support the development of education.


What are its limitations?

Some of the global education data is outdated, although remains broadly relevant. The document does not include reference to the impact of COVID-19 crisis.


PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Key elements

The Reference Document is structured in two main parts to provide both conceptual grounding and operational guidance for EU engagement in the education sector.
PART 1 focuses on context, concepts and the EU's approach:
Chapter 1: The Global Agenda for Education, EU Policies and Support to Education • What is the Global Agenda for Education? • How Do EU Development Policies Support This Global Agenda? • Overview of EU Support • Recommended Reading
Chapter 2: Key Elements of Education Systems and How They Improve • Adopting a Systems Approach • What Is an Education System? • What Are the Main Elements of an Education System? • Why and How Do Education Systems Improve? • Recommended Reading
Chapter 3: EU Support to Strengthen Education Systems • Simplified Intervention Logic for EU Support to Education System Strengthening • Contributing to System Strengthening and Reform • Managing the EU Contribution • Recommended Reading
PART 2 consists of Practical Guidance Notes that cover thematic and technical issues:

  1. Education Sector Analysis
  2. Education Budgeting and Financial Management
  3. Monitoring Results in Education
  4. Capacity Development for Education System Strengthening
  5. Sector Coordination and Policy Dialogue
  6. Leave No One Behind
  7. Education In Emergencies and Protracted Crises
  8. Gender Equality in Education
  9. Stopping School Related Gender-Based Violence
  10. Teacher Policy and Management
  11. Learning Assessment
  12. Mainstreaming Digital Technology in EU Support to Education
  13. Early Childhood Education
  14. The Contribution of Higher Education to Development

These chapters and notes aim to equip EU staff and partners with both a solid understanding of education systems and actionable tools to support and implement effective education interventions.


Requirements

Data/information. N.A.

Time. N.A.

Skills. N.A.

Facilities and materials. N.A.

Financial costs and sources. N.A.

Tips and tricks.

Tips and tricks

Description

Start with Part 1 to Ground Your Understanding

Read Chapters 1–3 to build foundational knowledge on EU education policy, systems thinking, and intervention logic. Use recommended readings to deepen understanding.

Use Part 2 as a Modular Toolkit

Select Guidance Notes based on your current task (e.g. design, M&E). Each note can be used independently and is tailored to a specific theme or operational need.

Use Case Studies as Inspiration and Benchmarking Tools

Refer to real examples from EU-funded programmes to illustrate best practices, benchmark your intervention, or justify design choices.

Link Guidance Notes to Logical Framework Development

Combine insights from Notes 2, 3, and 11 when working on logframes, setting baselines, or defining education indicators.

Tailor EU Engagement through a Systems Lens

Apply a systems approach (Chapter 2) to identify root causes, link interventions, and avoid working in silos.

Leverage Digital and Gender Notes for Cross-Cutting Themes

Integrate digital tools (Note 12) and address gender equality and SRGBV (Notes 8 and 9) to align with EU strategic priorities.

Don't Skip the Simplified Intervention Logic

Use Chapter 3's logic model to clarify pathways of change and map EU contribution mechanisms (dialogue, financing, TA, etc.).

Integrate 'Leave No One Behind' from the Start

Use Note 6 to design inclusive interventions targeting marginalised groups and ensuring equitable access to quality education.



EU RESOURCES

The European Commission, 2020. Tools and Methods Series, Reference Document N° 27, Strengthening education systems to provide learning for all

Capacity4Dev: EC Education Focal Person


For further information, any revision or comment, please contact INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec.europa.eu

Published by INTPA.D.4 - Quality and results, evaluation, knowledge management. Last update  May 2025