Uwezo, meaning “capability” in Kiswahili, is a four year initiative to improve competencies in literacy and numeracy among children aged 5-16 years in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda through an innovative, civic-driven, and public accountability approach to social change. Uwezo will enable ordinary citizens – i.e. parents, students, local communities, and public at large – to become aware of actual levels of children’s literacy and numeracy, and to build on that awareness to stimulate practical and policy change across East Africa.