Global 
Sparks of Inspiration and Pathways for Action
At this year’s United Nations General Assembly, we were reminded that even in times of global crisis, there are bright sparks lighting the path forward for education and equity. While education was not always at the center of the global agenda, the conversations we joined and the leaders we met left us inspired—and more convinced than ever that learning must remain at the center of the agenda so thriving can belong to everyone.
We were moved by the extraordinary stories from leaders like those at Teach for Ukraine, whose teachers are showing up in war-torn classrooms, underground bunkers, and online to ensure children not only keep learning, but also build curiosity, compassion, and resilience. The nonprofit Labhya from India shared their groundbreaking work on mental health in schools that is reaching more than 2 million students and showing powerful gains in both learning and well-being. These incredible stories remind us of the steadfast commitment and creativity required to nourish the next generation.
We also saw growing momentum at the intersections—education with climate, mental health, technology, geopolitical events, and livelihoods. At the AI Africa Village cohosted by UNICEF and Qhala, and Teach for All’s Education House, conversations around artificial intelligence raised urgent questions about how we prepare young people for a shifting world of information, analysis, work, and beyond. We celebrate that teachers are being asked to shape AI in education and that, at least in the education circles, humans continue to be a critical component in the technology. At the intersection of education and climate, we heard funders recognize how climate disruptions—like the floods in Brazil—not only affect school attendance and literacy outcomes, but also create opportunities to reimagine education through nature, social-emotional learning, and breaking down silos between sectors.
Partnerships stood out as another source of energy. From the Accelerator for Shifting Gender Norms through Education to the IEFG & F20 Education x Climate Roundtable to Generation Unlimited, we saw various collective pushes toward collaborations between funders and those closest to the work.
At UNGA, Imaginable Futures, Echidna Giving, and Devex convened a funder roundtable on collaborative philanthropy and African-led education research. This event also included an introduction of a new pan-African initiative called HERI-Africa (Harnessing Education Research for Impact in Africa) that underscored how vital local Africa-led research is for shaping effective policy and practice, sparking funder interest and new opportunities for co-creation.
Outside of this work, Imaginable Futures is co-creating a funding coalition to strengthen Indigenous and Quilombola education in Brazil, and launching a fellowship in the US to support cross-sector changemakers reimagining early care and learning.
Themes we’re carrying forward:
At IF, we came away from UNGA 2025 humbled, hopeful, and determined. Amidst the noise, we saw glimpses of what’s possible when we put children, learners, and leaders first.
Education is not a side issue; it is the foundation of every solution to every crisis. Now, the opportunity is to turn inspiration into action—together.
To learn more about funding in partnership with Imaginable Futures, please email partnership@imaginablefutures.com.
