Launched in 2004 with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ELSA is one of the lead implementing initiatives of the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuAlLLS2). The project provides learning and employment opportunities for at-risk children and youth living in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Central Mindanao in the Philippines. Comprised of five highly respected international and Philippine NGOs, the Alliance engages local communities to improve the educational outcomes of in-school and out-of-school children and youth. Among its activities, ELSA builds and repairs school classrooms and community learning centers; strengthens the pedagogical competencies of teachers; enables out-of-school youth to access alternative, accredited learning programs; provides job opportunities for out-of-school youth; and promotes youth civic engagement and peace building. After successfully leveraging additional funding, ELSA is now a US$18 million program.