Because the Emmaus movement acts to make the voices of those without a voice heard and to promote the rights of the most excluded, access to education has naturally always been an important part of its work. Emmaus International coordinates and runs a mutual fund to support grassroots initiatives for access to education and awareness-raising, along with organising meetings to put together and jointly develop our demands.

It is through access to education that the most excluded, and in particular children and young people from vulnerable families, will be able to overcome poverty and become involved in social, cultural and political life, as fully-fledged citizens.

To support these alternatives, Emmaus International coordinates a fund to enable groups in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe to run initiatives with the most disadvantaged populations.

Formal education, non-formal education, school support, professional training, citizenship education: the Emmaus movement runs a very rich diversity of educational programmes in 41 countries where we work around the world. In addition to this diversity, all the initiatives support marginalised people and are often the only educational and social alternative available, in countries where the state does not invest in access to education for young people. 

Based on the commitment and experience of its member organisations in empowering educational practices, Emmaus International contributed to the “Futures of Education” global consultation launched by UNESCO in 2019, to rethink education and shape the future.

When Emmaus International published its first global report on its fight against poverty, it identified access to education that helps everyone to develop in all areas, including culturally and politically, as one of its six key demands.