Gateways to Public Digital Learning
A global initiative to ensure digital learning becomes a public good, accessible to all
What is the Gateways Initiative?
Gateways is a global initiative, collaboratively managed by UNESCO and UNICEF, to work with governments and partners on establishing digital education as a public good through high quality, inclusive national digital learning platforms and content. Additionally, it aims to promote knowledge exchange among countries to ensure all children have access to quality digital education.
Gateways was launched at the Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the UN General Assembly in 2022 and responds to its Call to Action on Digital Learning. It actualizes country commitments to (1) “establish and iteratively improve national digital learning platforms” and (2) “ensure these platforms empower teachers, learners, and families."
Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Finland, Jordan, Mongolia, Singapore and Uruguay were the first countries to officially join Gateways in 2023. As of February 2025, the official Gateways member countries are: Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jordan, Latvia, Liberia, Lebanon, Malawi, Malta, Mongolia, Singapore, the United States, and Uruguay. The Gateways Community of Practice now comprises over 30 countries. The first Gateways Study Visit was hosted by Egypt from 14-16 May 2024, convening government representatives from 23 countries to share best practices and lessons learned around digital education as a public good.
See also: Become a Gateways Country
Gateways Events
These events provide a valuable platform to share experiences and learn from a network of like-minded, frontrunner countries.
Gateways Dialogue
The UNICEF–UNESCO Gateways Dialogue brings together governments, experts, and partners to share knowledge across borders on how to strengthen public digital learning platforms. The Dialogue explores ways to ensure that education is effectively supported not only in online and digital environments, but also in the physical and social spaces of schools and universities. Click here to access the previous webinars.
The next dialogue is to be announced.
Gateways Study Visit
The UNICEF-UNESCO Gateways Study Visits facilitate cross-border knowledge sharing on how to strengthen public digital learning platforms and ensure that education is effectively supported in online and digital environments, as well as in the physical and social spaces of schools and universities. Organized periodically in partnership with host countries, the Study Visits provide national focal points and other key stakeholders with first-hand exposure to successful digital learning models and practices. Click here to learn more about the previous study visit.
The next study visit is to be announced.
Components
The Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative advances progress across three components:
1. Global Gateway
2. Evidence generation and best practices
3. Norms and standards
Become a Gateways Country
All countries are encouraged to become a ‘Gateways country’.
To take forward commitments to build and strengthen quality public digital learning platforms, countries are invited to join the initiative by becoming a "Gateways Country” and committing to:
Component 1: Sharing information about priority public digital platforms holding curriculum-aligned digital teaching and learning content that is free and open.
Component 2: Joining a monthly webinar, Gateways Dialogue, where countries exchange experiences, challenges, innovations, and expertise on digital learning. This network will participate in global events, regional workshops, and learning missions.
Component 3: Participating in UNESCO’s annual Digital Learning Week event to help UNICEF and UNESCO iteratively refine a framework of international norms and standards for public digital learning platforms.
Publications
In 2022, UNICEF published a report titled 'Pulse Check on Digital Learning.' It revealed that one-third of the digital platforms, which were developed nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, are no longer fully functional – either due to being shut down or outdated. UNICEF and EdTech Hub examined 471 national platforms across 184 countries, focusing on five aspects: policies and financing, platforms and content, teachers and school leadership, digital literacy, and holistic learning opportunities.
While highlighting promising trends in many countries, the results also indicated a potential regression in the progress made in recent years. The report calls for a holistic approach to education, urging policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to prioritize digital learning in national policies and plans, increase resources, address digital divides, and empower teachers and learners.
The Gateway Initiative aims to further advance national-level efforts to enable learning opportunities for all children under any circumstances as well as to continue to monitor the progress by countries.