To advance equity in education and catalyse transformational system change requires building, sharing and wielding power to the communities and organisations at the heart of education systems. Now, more than ever in a world reeling from crisis to crisis – COVID, armed conflict, climate-induced disasters – fundamental shifts are needed to respond to crises and build resilient societies. In this session, philanthropic education actors will share their journeys on intentionally shifting power to those most impacted by centring their voices, needs and agency. The discussion will delve into contested terms like decolonisation and localisation; resource flows and intermediaries and the challenges, opportunities and outcomes of dismantling and reinventing power in education systems. Atti Worku, Co-CEO of the African Visionary Fund, will moderate the session.