Global Girl Leadership Academy

Turning Leadership into Action

Launched on 25 June 2026, the Global Girl Leadership Academy (GGLA) is Global Girl Project's six-month advanced leadership programme for graduates of the Global Girl Leadership Initiative (GGLI). The Academy is currently being piloted with 20 GGLI graduates, 10 in Uganda and 10 in Nigeria, in partnership with Soccer Without Borders Uganda and Strong Enough Girls'​ Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI) Nigeria. The pilot will help refine and strengthen the programme before it is rolled out to additional implementation partners and countries.

Created in response to the ambitions of our graduates, the Academy provides the next step in their leadership journey. It equips girls with the knowledge, skills, resources, and support to design and implement their own Community Action Projects, transforming ideas into meaningful action and lasting impact.

Through a unique combination of leadership development, project design, community engagement, and cross-cultural learning, participants become part of a growing global network of young changemakers working to create positive change in their communities.

Who is the Academy For?

The Global Girl Leadership Academy is delivered through selected Global Girl Project implementation partners and is designed for graduates of the Global Girl Leadership Initiative (GGLI) aged 15 and above. The programme supports girls who are ready to build on their GGLI experience by strengthening their leadership skills, developing community action projects, and deepening their impact as changemakers in their communities.

Programme Structure

The Academy runs over six months and is delivered in two phases:

Phase One: Learning and Design (Months 1–3)

Participants take part in 12 weekly facilitated sessions focused on leadership, community engagement, project planning, and social action.

Girls learn how to:

  • Identify community challenges and opportunities

  • Understand power and influence within their communities

  • Set goals and develop action plans

  • Build partnerships and engage stakeholders

  • Create project budgets

  • Measure impact and monitor progress

  • Develop practical leadership and teamwork skills

Phase Two: Action and Implementation (Months 4–6)

Participants work in small teams to design and deliver their own Community Action Projects.

Each team receives funding and ongoing mentorship to support project implementation. Throughout this phase, girls apply the skills they have developed while creating solutions to challenges affecting their communities.

The pilot programme is also supported by Padlet and Mentimeter, whose complimentary access to their digital learning platforms is helping create an engaging and collaborative learning experience for girls and facilitators.