WASHINGTON D.C. /OSLO, November 29, 2023 – The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) welcomes a first pledge of US$1.5 million from the Norway-based Harry Hole Foundation, founded and chaired by Norwegian award-winning author Jo Nesbø.
In support of GPE's Girls’ Education Accelerator, the Harry Hole Foundation’s generous contribution will help advance gender equality in countries and regions where girls’ access to education remains a challenge, unlocking opportunities for them to learn and thrive.
“This new partnership will help us accelerate access to learning for the most marginalized girls and contribute to greater gender equality in and through education” said Laura Frigenti, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education. “We look forward to the Harry Hole Foundation’s continued engagement in global education to help ensure that all children can learn, thrive and contribute to their country’s growth, prosperity and stability.”
Delivering on its commitment to giving every girl and boy a quality education, and helping partner countries achieve gender equality, GPE established the Girls’ Education Accelerator as a dedicated funding window. Several partner countries, including El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have already drawn on these funds.
“Greater global efforts are needed to achieve gender equality in and through education, and help girls access their right to quality and inclusive education,” said Jo Nesbø, founder and chairperson of the Harry Hole Foundation. “We are pleased to join GPE's endeavors to achieve this goal.”
Renowned author Jo Nesbø, award recipient Jan Tore Tornes, and Margarita Focas Licht, Director of Partnerships, GPE. Credit: Harry Hole Foundation
The US$1.5 million contribution from the Harry Hole Foundation will support partner countries in their efforts to transform the way education is designed and delivered, reach the most marginalized, especially girls – and spur critical momentum towards collective commitments to education as a global goal.
The Harry Hole Foundation contribution will leverage an equivalent amount from GPE through its innovative financing tool, the GPE Match, unlocking a total of US$3 million. The GPE Match is an incentive mechanism specifically designed to crowd in more private and philanthropic funds for education.
GPE and the Harry Hole Foundation will also work together to advance the shared vision of inclusive, quality education and gender equality in and through education - a cause that has been at the heart of the Foundation’s work since it was established by award-winning author Jo Nesbø in 2008.
GPE is committed to ensuring that all girls and boys enjoy equal opportunities to exercise their right to education. Hardwiring gender equality into all aspects of its work, GPE has been at the forefront of efforts to transform education so that all girls and boys can access their right to quality and inclusive education, essential for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future.
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About the Harry Hole Foundation
The Harry Hole Foundation, funded solely by author Jo Nesbø, is a private, philanthropic organization acting under the laws of Norway and is active in supporting education and addressing childhood illiteracy in developing countries.
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 nearly 90 lower-income 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.
Media contact
Tamara Kummer, GPE Head of Communications
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Bjørn W. Johansen, CEO of the Harry Hole Foundation
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Silje Tretvoll, Head of Marketing | Fiction, Aschehoug (Norway)
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Marie Gyllenhammar, CAO & Press Coordinator, Salomonsson Agency (international media contacts)
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