Education Out Loud: six insights on civil society effectiveness, legitimacy, sustainability, and grant management

The Education Out Loud (EOL) programme funds civil society organisations and networks to engage in advocacy for inclusive and quality education. This short paper highlights evidence and insights from the INTRAC review of the programme which we think is relevant to the broader context for civil society support. The evidence base used in our review included a grantee survey, three in-depth country studies and interviews with global stakeholders with a stake in EOL and its objectives.

The paper comprises two parts. Part 1 summarises three insights into how the fund was set up and operates, to enable sustainable, effective and legitimate civil society. In Part 2, we consider how the funds were disbursed and the role of the grant agent. Through three further insights, we argue that a relationship-based approach, supported by effective systems and processes can enable a grant agent to manage the tension of ‘bottom-up’ vs ‘top-down’ grant management.

• Kate Newman has been the Chief Executive of INTRAC since 2022 and has worked in the international development sector for over 25 years. Prior to joining INTRAC Kate worked with ActionAid, on participatory approaches and the right to education and later with Christian Aid, where she held a number of senior leadership roles. She holds a PhD in community development and has extensive experience as a consultant, working on strategy, partnership, evaluations and learning reviews as well as the development of resource materials.
• Hannah Beardon has over 25 years of experience supporting international development actors in learning, reflecting on their work, and improving their communication, evaluation, and learning mechanisms. She has a diverse skill set as a researcher, evaluator, writer, and facilitator, specialising in participatory practices within the realm of international development. Organisations she has worked with include UNICEF, FAO, and various NGOs.
• Helen Collinson has worked in international development for 30 years, specialising in advocacy, policy research, and public campaigning. In her capacity as an independent consultant, she undertakes advocacy training, evaluations of advocacy programmes, scoping studies and applied policy research. Helen has worked with INTRAC since 2008, training civil society in advocacy skills in diverse national contexts and online.