Ten years ago, the first ‘Spot’ was created by local teachers in Abofour, underpinned by the vision of enabling communities to create the change they want to see, through education.
On Thursday, 26th February 2026, partners, Catalysts, educators, donors and changemakers gathered in Accra to mark the organisation’s 10-year milestone under the theme “Shaping the Next Decade of Digitalised Community-Led Education.”
Founded in 2015 as a response to a locked library with limited local ownership, EduSpots began with a belief that communities already possess the assets, skills and leadership needed to drive meaningful educational transformation.
Ten years on, the organisation has grown into a network of over 400 trained community-based leaders (Catalysts) who lead change across 50 community learning spaces known as Spots, providing more than 10,000 learners (Sparks) with access to inclusive and future-ready education.
Commenting on the milestone, Patron of EduSpots, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, shared:
”What is so remarkable about EduSpots’ unique community-led model, is that it enables every Spot to draw from the community’s own unique culture, ideas and aspirations in the way education is envisioned…
Tonight, at our 10th anniversary, we celebrate the commitment of EduSpots’ network of Catalysts and the young Sparks they work alongside, who are fast becoming the future Catalysts of Change.”
During the event, Adu Boahen Carlos, one of the early learners, shared his transformative journey from Spark, to Catalysts, to Project Leader, Peer Mentor and now Catalyst Committee Chair. Speaking on a Catalyst panel, Adu shared:
“At first, I wasn’t sure if I should continue with my education; today, I am an example of the leadership transformation the EduSpots network is igniting.”
Over the past decade, EduSpots has worked alongside local Catalysts, Sparks and local institutions to co-create learning ecosystems that respond directly to community needs. Its programmes span early years education, digital literacy, STEM, gender equity and sustainability, with a strong focus on mentorship, inclusion and asset-based community development.
Reflecting on the transformation within her community, Gertrude Akunlibe, Founder of Dulugu Spot and now Regional Coordinator (Northern and Overseas), noted:
“At first, my community believed only a powerful authority could bring educational reform. Today, the presence of Dulugu Spot and the impact made by local Catalysts has changed that perception.”
Designed as an interactive festival rather than a traditional conference, the anniversary event featured exhibitions of project-based learning activities and EduSpots’ digital tools, with a participants joining an interactive session with Isaac Kobby Ayibor, EduSpots’ Digital Skills and Communications Manager, exploring the use of AI in community-led education.
Following this, in an event hosted by MC Rafiatu Bawa, herself a Catalyst, the evening included interactive speeches from John Kofi Nuvormawor, EduSpots’ Catalyst of the Year 2025, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, and Chief Executive Officer Cat Davison, alongside panel discussions with EduSpots’ Catalysts, and partner voices. The night climaxed with raffle and fundraising activities, ahead of hearing directly from a young Spark, Abdul Manaf, in the first Spot, Abofour.
Together, these leaders will explore how education systems can remain inclusive, adaptive and community-driven in a rapidly digitalising world, ensuring Catalysts continue to mentor and inspire the next generation of Sparks.
The Future Vision
During the event, EduSpots’ CEO Cat Davison shared EduSpots’ strategy for the next three years:
- Launching the 2-year Sustain Programme, enabling the current 50 Spots to strengthen their local partnerships and fundraising.
- Expanding the network from 50-100 Spots, researching the impact of diverse models in the process, and working through NGO and government partnerships.
- Launching EduSpots Unlocked, to share aspects of EduSpots’ learning with the wider education community in Ghana and beyond.
In the longer term, in a vision propelled by local Catalysts, EduSpots imagine a global network of digitally connected local Catalysts, playing a transformative role in raising the voice of grassroots educators and the role of communities in educational design more widely.
Awards Celebrated
During the evening, EduSpots offered Anniversary Awards to organisations and individuals who had been integral to the 10 year journey:
- John Kofi Nuvormawor: EduSpots’ Catalyst of the Year 2025
- Abofour and Akumadan Spot Teams: EduSpots’ Original Catalyst Awards
- The Gower Street Trust: EduSpots’ Game Changer Award for Transformative Impact
- The EA Foundation & mc2h foundation: EduSpots’ Organisation-wide Transformation Awards
- Professor Gloria Agyemang: EduSpots’ Legacy Impact Award
- Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann: EduSpots’ Beacon of Light Award
- Avril Kudzi: EduSpots’ Unsung Hero Award
- Dr Richard Amoah: EduSpots’ Pot of Wisdom Award
The past ten years have demonstrated what is possible when communities lead, local leaders are equipped with the right training, and digital tools are used intentionally to strengthen grassroots systems. The next decade demands deeper collaboration, greater innovation and sustained courage.
For Corporates interested in collaborating or partnering with us, email Saramine Mukute, Global Head of Philanthropy, at smukute@eduspots.org or Priscilla Asamoah Baffour, Fundraising Coordinator on pbaffour@eduspots.org. For wider partnership opportunities and information, email info@eduspots.org.
For more information, visit eduspots.org or sign up for our newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/2yjvm98y.
About EduSpots
EduSpots is a UK and Ghanaian-based NGO working across 11 regions of Ghana to ignite digitalised, community-led education. Through its 50 community-led Spots, the organisation fosters inclusive, play-based and digitally enhanced learning environments that create lasting impact for over 10,000 learners of all ages.
