Education and Livelihood Skills Alliance (ELSA)

From 2004 to 2011, ELSA provided learning and employment opportunities for at-risk children and youth living in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Central Mindanao, Philippines. Bringing together five highly respected international and Philippine NGOs and with support from USAID, ELSA engaged local communities to improve education for children and youth. Among its activities, ELSA improved elementary schools’ national test scores; built and repaired more than 300 school classrooms and community learning centers; helped 1,600 teachers be more effective in their jobs; provided 30,000 out-of-school youth access to alternative, accredited learning programs; provided job opportunities for out-of-school youth; and promoted youth civic engagement and peace building. After successfully leveraging additional funding, ELSA became a US$18 million program.