The CapED Programme

UNESCO places developing capacity at the heart of its operational action at country level. In education, this is delivered primarily through its Capacity Development for Education Programme (CapED).

Created in 2003 as the Capacity Development for Education for All (CapEFA) Programme, the Programme was modified in 2016 to better align with the SDG4-Education 2030 agenda and rebranded as Capacity Development for Education. Building on 14 years of experience and achievement, it aims to translate dialogue and advocacy for the global education agenda into concrete action at country level to offer quality education opportunities for all in line with SDG4 targets.  

Through CapED, UNESCO provides targeted assistance and reinforces national capacities to undertake evidence-based national education reforms. CapED’s focus is on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and those countries considered furthest away from achieving the SDG4 targets.

Particular emphasis is placed on fragile countries in emergency situations or recovering from conflict or disasters, as these countries often face additional obstacles in achieving desired education outcomes in their transition to peace and stability. These countries need targeted support from the international community in their attempts to rebuild equitable quality education systems and in turn to secure longer-term development and sustainability. Since the beginning of the Programme, it has supported more than 40 countries. Today CapED is operational in some 25 LDCs.

The Programme has developed a tried and tested approach to capacity development, which builds strong national ownership to drive development processes and draws on a wide variety of technical expertise available throughout UNESCO’s Education Sector and specialized Institutes. Special emphasis is placed on gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women across all areas of intervention.

The CapED Programme is funded by extrabudgetary resources through pooled funding from donors and has mobilized more than US$ 85 million since its creation.