Over the past decade and a half, South Asian governments have invested heavily towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in education. However, despite these widespread efforts, hundreds of millions are still left behind. According to a recent UNESCO report on sustainable development goals, of the world’s 907 million illiterate, the region is home to over 50 percent of this figure.

Poverty is one of the biggest challenges that hinders the uneducated in South Asia from accessing education. On their own, schools in South Asia are insufficient to cope with these education delivery gaps. A community library is an innovative yet simple solution that can help address these gaps in access.

Community libraries in South Asia are perceived as neutral and safe for women and people of all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. In addition, community libraries provide last-mile linkages for partners like non-governmental organizations and governments to offer training programs. For example, the Shaping Education project in India has helped create sustainable community libraries. The project’s Ahmedabad Hub offers workshops that educate communities about gender and rights issues.