Doha, Qatar, 8 December 2024 - Education Above All Foundation, a leading global education foundation? signed a landmark agreement with the United States Agency for International Development's Mission to Afghanistan (USAID/Afghanistan) to enhance access to primary and higher education for Afghanistan's children and youth. The agreement, signed on 8 December 2024 at the Doha Forum, reaffirms a shared commitment to education as a fundamental right for all, particularly for marginalised and at-risk communities. 

Under this partnership, EAA Foundation, with the support of Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and USAID, will mobilise a combined US$50 million in funding, equally contributed by both parties, to support the enrolment of over 100,000 out of school children and provide nearly 2000 post-secondary scholarships. 

In addition to the funding, the partnership focuses on cooperative research and strategic engagement with other stakeholders to strengthen Afghanistan's education sector. Together the organisations will work to accelerate student enrolment, improve retention and create pathways to high quality education for at-risk Afghan youth 

Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, Acting CEO of EAA Foundation, emphasized the significance of this partnership: 'At Education Above All Foundation, we believe that education is the key to unlocking opportunity and transforming lives. Collaborating with USAID on this crucial partnership  is a vital step toward our shared vision of inclusive and equitable education for all. By working together, we can break down the barriers to accessing quality education, empower communities, and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future. 

Joel Sandefur, USAID Mission Director for Afghanistan, highlighted, 'Ensuring sustained access to quality education for Afghan women and girls, fostering meaningful learning outcomes, and prioritizing the safety and well-being of learners and educators are central to USAID's mission. Through our partnership with Education Above All, we unite with like-minded partners committed to building a brighter and more prosperous future for all Afghans.'

This partnership builds on EAA Foundation's ongoing efforts to support Afghan students including the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP), which has provided Afghan university students with critical support to rebuild their futures. In 2021 through collaborations with  NGOs and higher education institutions, the Afghan Future Fund and the Government of Qatar, Afghan university students were successfully evacuated, ensuring continued access to education amidst the crisis..