The Road to the SDGs

X To mobilise resources to support MCs to cope with the pressures of Syrian refugees, IsDB has developed a matching fund mechanism to increase resources allocated to the education of these refugees. The mechanism engages non-traditional partners and international NGOs who can contribute matching funds. X After a series of consultative workshops with key development partners and active international NGOs to participate in the financing of the education programme, 12 international NGOs were selected to form a consortium, in order to: – Contribute matching funds to the programme’s cost – Participate in the implementation of the programme. X The matching fund mechanism aims at improving access to education for Syrian refugees in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey by providing vocational education for decent employment to economically empower them. The overall scope of the programme covers remedial, electronic and vocational education and skills development. Around 705,000 students and 2,000 teachers will benefit from these activities in the Smart Education programme. ACHIEVEMENTS X The progress achieved in the programme so far includes the following: – 10 local CSOs and vocational education institutions were selected as local implementing partners with a proven track record in working with Syrian refugees and IDPs. They received capacity building training on communication, counselling, community-based psychosocial interventions, project management, finance, M&E, and HR management at selected institutions and CSOs based on their needs – 1,150 students have access to vocational education and training related to the host community labour market. The focus is on relevant studies that offer the best chances for employment after graduation. This includes 2-year diplomas and 3 to 9-month certificates in TVET – The programme assisted 460 students to find jobs and/ or internships through job and technical skills training, internships and job placements. It also assisted 115 students to start their own businesses through entrepreneurship training, a business plan competition, financial support and coaching/ incubation – A Student Information System was established, allowing IsDB to follow students from application to postgraduation – Under Smart Education, a comprehensive study was prepared to analyse the educational requirements of the refugee students and identify target beneficiary students – An all-subject electronic curriculum for grades 1–4 has been set, while that of grades 5 and 6 is in progress – The electronic platform was designed and is being tested, with successful results. The beta version will be launched soon. X Other plans include: – Enhancing capacity for 20 TVET institutions and local CSOs in the region with a view to providing education opportunities for some 1,500 Syrians, including IDPs and refugees, building their skills and preparing them for the labour market – Offering 460 students internships/job opportunities and 115 Syrian refugees access to finance for their start-up enterprises, reaching a total of 575 individuals – Developing digital tools to be used strategically to enhance beneficiaries’ access to the programme. INVESTMENT X IsDB has approved US$ 7 million from ISFD resources for this programme. X The total investment, including the matching funds mobilised, is US$ 16 million. X To date, IsDB has mobilised over US$ 9 million from international NGOs, including Spark International from the Netherlands, Wafaa International Group from Indonesia, International Islamic Charity Organization, and Sheikh Abdullah Nouri Charity from Kuwait, in addition to US$ 7 million from ISFD. M O B I L I S I N G F U N D S To date, IsDB has mobilised over US$9 million from international NGOs S M A R T E D U C A T I O N P R O G R A M M E Around 700,000 students, 2,000 teachers and 300 schools will benefit from these activities [ 135 ] T H E R O A D T O T H E S D G s | P R O G R E S S A N D A C H I E V E M E N T S