https://www.globalpartnership.org/news/spain-announces-25-million-contri...
MADRID/WASHINGTON D.C., May 6, 2026– Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez today announced a pledge of at least €25 million to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in support of its “Multiply Possibility” global financing campaign. This pledge represents a 25% increase from Spain’s pledge to GPE’s last replenishment, signaling Spain’s growing commitment to education as a foundation for equality, opportunity, resilience and social cohesion.
Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, emphasized that Spain stands in solidarity with the rest of the world—so his government is boosting its commitment to GPE by 25% because peace is built through prevention, and prevention starts with education
Against a backdrop of escalating conflict, climate shocks, and economic uncertainty, Spain’s contribution sends a clear signal: education is not a peripheral investment, but a central pillar of global stability and peace. Through this pledge, Spain reaffirms its longstanding partnership with GPE and its belief that strong public education systems are essential to building more inclusive, stable and resilient societies.
“Spain’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the world,” said Laura Frigenti, CEO of GPE. “This increased pledge is a strong signal of confidence in GPE and in the power of education to transform lives and societies. By investing through multilateral partnerships like GPE, Spain is helping countries strengthen public education systems, expand opportunity for young people, and reach the children most at risk of being left behind.”
Spain’s pledge contributes to GPE’s ambition to mobilize $5 billion in financing and unlock an additional $10 billion for education, helping to transform learning outcomes for up to 750 million children in more than 90 partner countries. Beyond mobilizing external resources, the campaign also supports countries to grow their own domestic education budgets, accelerating a shift toward sustainable, nationally led education systems.
The need for investment is urgent. Around the world, education systems are being strained by conflict, displacement, climate shocks, debt pressures and widening inequalities. For millions of children, especially girls and those living in crisis-affected contexts, the right to learn remains out of reach.
Quality learning helps tackle the drivers of violence, build resilience to extremism, and foster more cohesive, equal, and stable societies. One extra year of education can reduce the risk of conflict by up to 20 percent, with particularly powerful effects when girls and women learn equally.
A fully funded GPE would deliver transformative results. Investing $5 billion through GPE would drive better education outcomes, leading to:
- $840 billion added to the global economy,
- 23 million people lifted out of poverty,
- $7.7 billion saved in climate-related damage,
- 204 million more children in school, half of them girls,
- 105 million children learning more effectively in school.
Through its €25 million pledge, Spain affirms education as a global public good and a powerful driver of peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies. At a time when global cooperation is under pressure, Spain’s increased commitment signals that investing in education is both a development priority and a strategic choice for a fairer, more stable, and more secure future.
Notes to editors
Read the GPE Case for Investment
Initial pledges to the campaign total over $325 million, with commitments from:
- Germany
- Spain
- JBJ Foundation, Inherent Foundation, and Dovetail Impact Foundation
- Jannik Sinner Foundation
About the Global Partnership for Education
GPE is a shared commitment to ending the world’s learning crisis. We mobilize partners and funds to support over 90 countries to transform their education systems so that every girl and boy can get the quality education they need to unlock their full potential and contribute to building a better world.
