- The Government of Canada, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education and Fundación Santo Domingo, has launched OFFER (Outcome Fund for Education Results) — a pioneering Results-Based Financing initiative aimed at strengthening access, retention, and quality in Colombia’s education system.
- OFFER is managed by Cowater International as the Fund Manager, with Fundación Santo Domingo serving as the first social investor and strategic partner in this groundbreaking initiative.
Bogotá, October 30, 2025. The Government of Canada, the Ministry of National Education, and Fundación Santo Domingo, together with Cowater International, announce the launch of OFFER (Outcome Fund for Education Results / Fondo de Resultados para la Educación). With an investment of 8.4 million Canadian dollars from the Government of Canada, this initiative leverages the Results-Based Financing model to promote payments for measurable and verified achievements, driving a step change in educational quality. The model seeks to mobilize resources from various sectors, introducing an innovative way of investing in education.
The launch of OFFER comes at a pivotal moment for education in Colombia, where persistent gaps in quality, high dropout rates, and challenges in ensuring 21st-century skills remain—particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
“We know that education is a cornerstone for lasting peace and sustainable development. Today, we celebrate this joint effort to build a more inclusive and higher-quality education system, with a special focus on rural areas and vulnerable populations. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no child or youth is left behind,” said Elizabeth Williams, Ambassador of Canada to Colombia.
By linking investment to tangible outcomes, OFFER sets a new standard of collaboration, transparency, and innovation in Colombia’s education sector—mobilizing public and private actors to generate greater learning and development opportunities for children and adolescents, especially those in remote and excluded areas.
“This fund is proof that education is a shared commitment and a tool for equity. From the Ministry of Education, we work to ensure that every child, regardless of origin or condition, has the same opportunities to learn, dream, and build their future,” stated Maritza Molina, Vice Minister of Preschool, Basic and Secondary Education.
“At Fundación Santo Domingo, we believe that innovating in how development is financed is key to amplifying impact and advancing toward a more equitable Colombia. That is why we have been pioneers in mechanisms such as Results-Based Financing, which mobilize resources and strategic allies in employment, health, education, and the environment. With initiatives like OFFER, we aim to consolidate learning and close gaps sustainably in the communities that need it most,” said José Francisco Aguirre, Executive Director, Fundación Santo Domingo.
Unlike traditional cooperation schemes, OFFER brings together public, private, and philanthropic actors under a model that ties disbursements to the achievement of pre-defined educational outcomes. This approach fosters efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
With this initiative, Colombia becomes a regional pioneer in applying a Pay-for-Results model in education, reaffirming its commitment to quality, innovation, and international cooperation as drivers for transforming lives through learning.
“The OFFER Fund represents a unique opportunity to strengthen Colombia’s educational ecosystem through financial innovation and evidence-based approaches. It is an open invitation to all actors committed to education to join efforts around concrete and sustainable results,” noted Angélica Pinzón, Director of OFFER.
The first Challenge will be implemented in Barú (Bolívar), focusing on strengthening literacy and numeracy skills among students in grades 1–3 across three schools on the island. The project will use effective and sustainable pedagogical strategies to build a solid foundation for students’ future learning and development. It will also emphasize socioemotional skills for educational actors and teacher training in language and mathematics for these grades.
For more information about OFFER, please visit www.offereducation.org.
