In an era of ever-expanding choices of educational tools — many fueled by artificial intelligence — informed, evidence-based decisions are more crucial than ever. EmpowerED, a CAD9-million investment from IDRC, works to strengthen national education systems in lower- and middle-income countries with evidence and support to harness digital technology for inclusive, evidence-based learning.
The initiative aims to generate and share Southern-led evidence on educational technologies (Edtech), foster innovations that respond to learning needs and strengthen the ability of local institutions to use this knowledge to effectively integrate educational technology into schools and other learning settings. To that effect, EmpowerED works directly with ministries of education to identify their learning needs and strengthen their capacities to generate and use Edtech-related evidence, as well as develop Edtech-enabling policies.
The challenge
Education around the world is in crisis, according to the United Nations. Some 250 million boys and girls had no access to education at all in 2022. New and renewed conflicts have caused an increase in violent attacks on educational centres in recent years and have resulted in more families on the move. More than 100 million people were either refugees or internally displaced in 2024 — double the number in 2014. Forty percent of them were children. Public school systems are also still dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic and the significant impact school shutdowns had on learning. However, these challenges have also created a renewed sense of urgency among governments and a willingness to embrace new learning approaches, including digital technology.
Edtech: how do you decide which approach is right for which student?
Reports such UNESCO’s 2023 Global Education Monitoring report Edtech: A tool on whose terms?, featuring contributions from IDRC’s experts, and the Asian Development Bank’s Reimagine Tech-inclusive Education underscore the need for governments to better integrate technology into public education. IDRC has been partnering with leading organizations to develop digital learning tools for international development since the early 2000s. IDRC-supported research has shown that the development of educational technologies strengthens public education systems and the capacities of policymakers and implementers.
Recognizing the context-specific challenges of widespread educational technology use, EmpowerED operates through three regional initiatives led by local partner organizations in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia. These regional hubs and networks of research institutions focus on fostering and sustaining regional Edtech networks by supporting partnerships for peer learning and knowledge exchange among diverse Edtech partners. The focus is on countries with concrete policy opportunities and existing capacity, ensuring impact and policy buy-in while expanding regional networks of educational stakeholders.
Explore the regional hubs
In addition, IDRC is funding a global knowledge-mobilization hub hosted by the Edtech Hub. This hub will conduct extensive knowledge generation activities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the global Edtech landscape. It will foster peer learning among regional partners, support them in ensuring research quality, and synthesize findings to identify global trends while highlighting regional specificities. The hub will also identify opportunities to leverage these findings for effective policy design, ensuring that the insights gained are used to shape impactful educational policies worldwide.
More information is coming soon. These videos help tell the story of some of the other ways IDRC supports the research and development of Edtech for international development.