UniCredit Foundation

Founded in September 2018, Education Without Backpacks (EWB) is a non-profit organisation based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The association is dedicated to improving the academic performance of children across Bulgaria, particularly in mathematics and science, through digital education initiatives.

The mission of Education Without Backpacks is to uplift the academic performance of children by providing free, high-quality educational resources, irrespective of their birthplace or financial background.

The vision is to ensure that every child in Bulgaria has access to the tools they need to succeed academically.

Key Activities are: digital education - adapting and implementing the Khan Academy online resources for Bulgarian children; teacher support - providing materials and training to support teachers and schools in achieving high educational success; community engagement - collaborating with local communities, schools, and institutions, including the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, to promote digital educational technologies; and student competitions - Organising online competitions to encourage student engagement and learning

EWB has made significant strides in improving math skills among Bulgarian students. The association has translated thousands of video lessons and provided millions of minutes of learning through Khan Academy.

Founded in September 2018, Education Without Backpacks (EWB) is a non-profit organisation based in Sofia, Bulgaria. The association is dedicated to improving the academic performance of children across Bulgaria, particularly in mathematics and science, through digital education initiatives.

The mission of Education Without Backpacks is to uplift the academic performance of children by providing free, high-quality educational resources, irrespective of their birthplace or financial background.

The vision is to ensure that every child in Bulgaria has access to the tools they need to succeed academically.

Key Activities are: digital education - adapting and implementing the Khan Academy online resources for Bulgarian children; teacher support - providing materials and training to support teachers and schools in achieving high educational success; community engagement - collaborating with local communities, schools, and institutions, including the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, to promote digital educational technologies; and student competitions - Organising online competitions to encourage student engagement and learning

EWB has made significant strides in improving math skills among Bulgarian students. The association has translated thousands of video lessons and provided millions of minutes of learning through Khan Academy.

The programme, named "Better at Math with Khan Academy", was selected through the UniCredit Foundation "Call For Education" and launched by Education without Backpacks (EwB) in 2023, to improve students' math performance in Bulgaria.

This project aims to introduce and implement the Khan Academy platform on a national scale, promoting an innovative educational approach. With practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard, Khan Academy empowers learners to study at their own pace, both in and out of the classroom.

"Better at Math with Khan Academy" targets students in underperforming schools in Bulgaria who are struggling with math, according to national and international assessments like PISA. The programme is conducted in Bulgaria, initially in two underperforming schools. In 2024 it was again supported by UniCredit Foundation through the "UCF Edu-Fund Platform" with the goal of expanding to 50 schools nationwide by 2027. This expansion will be facilitated through partnerships with various municipalities and regional education departments.

The programme is based on a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to monitor workstreams and assess impact. Teachers guide students through weekly focused learning sessions using Khan Academy, enhancing engagement and academic performance. This method aims to catalyse transformative change in math education in Bulgarian schools and advocating to the Ministry of Education based on the results of this national program.

The programme, named "Better at Math with Khan Academy", was selected through the UniCredit Foundation "Call For Education" and launched by Education without Backpacks (EwB) in 2023, to improve students' math performance in Bulgaria.

This project aims to introduce and implement the Khan Academy platform on a national scale, promoting an innovative educational approach. With practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard, Khan Academy empowers learners to study at their own pace, both in and out of the classroom.

"Better at Math with Khan Academy" targets students in underperforming schools in Bulgaria who are struggling with math, according to national and international assessments like PISA. The programme is conducted in Bulgaria, initially in two underperforming schools. In 2024 it was again supported by UniCredit Foundation through the "UCF Edu-Fund Platform" with the goal of expanding to 50 schools nationwide by 2027. This expansion will be facilitated through partnerships with various municipalities and regional education departments.

The programme is based on a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to monitor workstreams and assess impact. Teachers guide students through weekly focused learning sessions using Khan Academy, enhancing engagement and academic performance. This method aims to catalyse transformative change in math education in Bulgarian schools and advocating to the Ministry of Education based on the results of this national program.

Education Without Backpacks Association (EWB)