In order to improve basic education in over 46 developing countries, the EU will provide €31.8 million to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Fund between 2011 and 2013. This new support to education in developing countries is based in the EU's intention of achieving one of the objectives of the new "Agenda for Change".

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) will receive from the EU €31.8 million in order to improve basic education in over 46 developing countries. The GPE works towards putting the 67 million out of school children in developing countries into a school for a quality education.

This support to education in developing countries is part of the new 'Agenda for Change' in EU development policy which was launched last October. This plan proposes to strengthen the EU's commitment to education. It states that the EU should focus on those sectors which build the foundations for sustainable growth and help ensure that it is inclusive. These include education, health and social protection for all.

Since 2004, European Commission provides a substantial contribution via general budget support to countries in addition to direct support to education; many of which are GPE-endorsed. The total amount of general budget support amounts to €3.4 billion (2007/8-2013), out of which €2.3 billion are endorsed by countries belonging to Global Partnership for Education.