Network for Education Systems Transformation

Working so education systems globally provide a breadth of skills and learning opportunities that support all children and young people to thrive and reach their full potential.

Group photo of NEST members

The Network for Education Systems Transformation (NEST) is a global network co-led by civil society organizations from the Global South united to understand and catalyze the transformation of education systems to help all learners develop a breadth of skills. We foster the growth of capacity, commitment, and cohesion among ecosystem actors by co-creating contextually rooted evidence, resources, and tools to strengthen impact and enhance meaningful collaboration locally and globally.

Who we are

NEST member organizations are located in 11 countries across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and South Asia. The Center for Universal (CUE) at Brookings, seated in the U.S. is the 11th organization in the network and serves as the coordinating entity.

How we work

NEST members engage in collaborative research and learning across diverse contexts to build the field of education systems transformation so children and young people in those contexts can develop a breadth of skills. The research we undertake is informed by practice in Global South and we are committed to sharing our learning and evidence to inform policy and practice globally.

To share learning and create systemic transformations, we leverage the power of our network and its connections, as well as those of other global networks to support evidence uptick and mindset shifts about the importance of children and young people learning what matters and gaining a breadth of skills.

The 3 Cs—our drivers of education systems transformation

The NEST is working to understand how increased commitment, capacity and cohesion among all ecosystem actors in a local jurisdiction can help education systems pivot to deliver the range of skills each child and young person needs to be successful and lead in a rapidly changing world.

  • Commitment. Increase the interest, engagement, and action of all stakeholders to effectively reorient and resource education systems to support a breadth of skills.
  • Capacity. Improve knowledge, skills, and resources required by all stakeholders to eliminate systemic barriers toward breadth of skills.
  • Cohesion. Develop a shared vision and agenda for transforming systems by implementing policies and practices that support breadth of skills.

Note: Prior to January 2025, the Network for Education Systems Transformation (NEST) was known as the Knowing-Doing Network Leadership Coalition (KDNLC).

Meet the members

Creative Center for Community Mobilisation (Malawi)
Logo of the Creative Center for Community Mobilisation
Creative Center for Community Mobilisation (Malawi)
Dignitas Project (Kenya)
Logo of the Dignitas Project
Dignitas Project (Kenya)
Dream A Dream (India)
Logo of Dream A Dream
Dream A Dream (India)
Enseña Perú (Peru)
Logo of Enseña Perú
Enseña Perú (Peru)
Fundación Reimagina (Chile)
Logo of Fundación Reimagina
Fundación Reimagina (Chile)
Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (Ghana)
Logo of the Ghana National Education Campaign
Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (Ghana)
Queen Rania Foundation (Jordan)
Logo of the Queen Rania Foundation
Queen Rania Foundation (Jordan)
SmartStart (South Africa)
Logo of SmartStart
SmartStart (South Africa)
Society for Access to Quality Education (Pakistan)
Logo of Society for Access to Quality Education
Society for Access to Quality Education (Pakistan)
Vía Educación (Mexico)
Logo of Vía Educación
Vía Educación (Mexico)
Center for Universal Education at Brookings (United States)
Logo of the Center for Universal Education at Borokings
Center for Universal Education at Brookings (United States)