UNESCO SDG 4 Open Call for Good Practices: Submit Education Initiatives

UNESCO SDG 4 Open Call for Good Practices: Submit Your Education Impact Initiative

UNESCO has opened an ongoing call for submissions to identify and showcase good practices that accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) — ensuring inclusive, equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

This open call invites governments, organizations, institutions, and education actors to share real-world practices that are already showing results and can inspire global learning, cooperation, and replication.

What Is SDG 4?

SDG 4 is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations in 2015. It focuses on transforming lives through education by ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to quality learning opportunities throughout life.

Education under SDG 4 plays a key role in reducing poverty, addressing inequality, improving health and well-being, promoting decent work, strengthening peace, and supporting the green and digital transition.

With only a few years left until 2030, accelerating progress on SDG 4 has become urgent, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

What Is Meant by a “Good Practice”?

In this UNESCO call, a good practice refers to an education-related policy, programme, or initiative that has been tested in real conditions and has demonstrated positive and measurable results.

A good practice is not just innovative. It is practical, effective, efficient, ethical, and capable of being adapted or scaled in other contexts without excessive resources.

👉 Submit your SDG 4 Good Practice through UNESCO’s Official Form

What Qualifies as a Good Practice?

To be considered, submissions must clearly meet key criteria used by UNESCO and the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee.

A good practice should be ethically sound, respect human rights, promote equity and gender equality, and address the needs of marginalized groups. It should demonstrate leadership and political commitment, involve partnerships, and contribute directly to SDG 4 outcomes.

The practice should show efficiency and effectiveness, be sustainable beyond initial implementation, and have the potential to be replicated or scaled in other regions or countries.

Who Can Submit?

UNESCO welcomes submissions from a wide range of education stakeholders, including national and local governments, civil society organizations, international and regional organizations, private sector bodies and foundations, academic and research institutions, youth-led groups, and other education partners.

Both large-scale programmes and smaller community-driven initiatives are eligible, as long as they demonstrate real impact.

How to Submit a Good Practice

Submissions must be completed through the official UNESCO online submission form.

Applicants are advised to prepare all responses and supporting documents in advance. Once submitted, responses can be saved and edited only after completing the full form.

A Word version of the full questionnaire is available for offline preparation before final submission.

👉 Submit your SDG 4 Good Practice through UNESCO’s Official Form

Selection and Dissemination Process

Although submissions are accepted throughout the year, UNESCO may launch time-bound thematic calls periodically.

Each submission is reviewed by at least two members of the Inter-Agency Secretariat of the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee or UNESCO’s thematic experts to ensure credibility and consistency.

Approved good practices will be published on the SDG 4 Knowledge Hub, making them accessible to a global audience. Selected practices may also be featured in UNESCO knowledge products, newsletters, social media, and international knowledge-sharing events.

Why You Should Apply

If your initiative is helping learners, educators, or communities overcome education challenges, this is a global platform to amplify your impact.

Being featured as a UNESCO-recognised SDG 4 Good Practice enhances visibility, credibility, and opportunities for collaboration at national and international levels.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• The call is open throughout the year.
• There is no application fee.
• Open to governments, NGOs, institutions, youth groups, and education actors.
• Selected practices are published globally by UNESCO.

Final Note

UNESCO’s SDG 4 Open Call is not about ideas on paper. It is about actions that work. If your education initiative has delivered results and can inspire others, this is your opportunity to contribute to global progress toward quality education for all.

👉 Submit your SDG 4 Good Practice through UNESCO’s Official Form