21/01/2021

The Commission increased aid for education in emergencies and protracted crises to 10 % of its total humanitarian aid in 2019. We assessed how the Commission managed this new level of support. We found that projects were relevant and achieved their expected results, but reached fewer girls than boys. Most projects in our sample were too short compared to needs and the Commission did not sufficiently identify opportunities for increased cost-effectiveness. Although most projects continued to benefit children after they had ended, cash for education projects did little to reduce dependence on cash assistance. We recommend providing longer-term funding, improving cost analysis, providing more support for girls and improving the sustainability of cash assistance projects.

ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second subparagraph, TFEU.