Building on the theme of the 2024/5 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report on leadership in education, the GEM Report has partnered with the Network of Education Policy Centres (NEPCs) on the 2025 Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia regional edition on leadership and inclusion.

Drawing from the approach of the 2024/5 GEM Report and the expertise of NEPC member organizations and contributors, the regional edition on leadership and inclusion delivers a comparative analysis of leadership practices for inclusive education based on information gathered from various education systems, including eight detailed country studies (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Poland, Slovenia). This Report presents evidence-based recommendations for governments and other key education stakeholders to enhance inclusion and facilitate the implementation of SDG 4 in policies throughout the region.

Seven case studies from NEPC members across various countries:

• Albania, Rozeta Hoxhallari
• Bosnia and Herzegovina, proMENTE social research
• Estonia, Think Tank Praxis Centre for Policy Studies
• Georgia, International Institute for Education Policy, Planning and Management
• Kyrgyzstan, Foundation Education Initiatives Support
• Republic of Moldova, Educational Centre PRO DIDACTICA
• Slovenia, Educational Research Institute

A review of challenges and opportunities in inclusive leadership in Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, Jasna Kovačević