EduSpots is launching its new Ignite Programme this October, welcoming 19 new communities across northern Ghana into its growing network of community-led learning spaces, known as Spots.
Since 2015, more than 700 local changemakers, known as Catalysts, have come together across 13 regions of Ghana and Kenya to establish 52 community-led learning spaces. Through these Spots, alongside opening access to books and digital tools, local volunteers lead clubs that support learners in early years education, literacy, digital skills, STEM, climate action and gender equity.
The latest cohort brings together teams from 19 communities across the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West regions: Dabokpa, Gongnia, Kalande, Zinye, Happah, Tuya, Cheshe, Nyankpala, Gbintiri, Kolinvai, Wurshe, Gbolo Kpalsi, Walewale, Nyingari, Yunyoo, Nabayili, Yakubupe, Nalogni and David Abdulai Memorial School.
From 15 to 19th October, representatives from the new communities will come together at the Radach Conference Centre in Tamale for an in-person training Academy. The programme combines training in community leadership and education with an introduction to EduSpots’ approach to locally driven, sustainable change.
Each community will receive an Ignite Kit containing educational resources and technology, alongside a box of books. They will then work through a 12-step series of collaborative challenges designed to help them bring their Spots to life, building the skills, relationships and local ownership needed to establish thriving learning spaces.
The in-person Academy forms the beginning of a wider support journey, combining online training, WhatsApp for Learning hubs, peer mentors and the EduSpots App. Through this blend of in-person and digital support, EduSpots aims to welcome more than 200 new local Catalysts into its network in 2026, strengthening community-led education and creating new opportunities for learners across Ghana, ahead of aiming to reach a network total of 100 Spots by the end of 2027.
At the heart of the Ignite Programme is a simple belief: communities already hold many of the assets, knowledge and potential needed to shape their own educational futures. EduSpots works alongside local volunteers to help turn that potential into action, supporting communities to create learning spaces that reflect their priorities and can be sustained over time.
One of the new Catalysts, Grace App of Dabokpa Junior High School, shared her hopes for the programme:
“My motivation to apply was to help learners to build their confidence to be able to read…Since I joined EduSpots, I have so much aspiration to be trained so that I can be more impactful, lead these children and help them develop themselves from where they are to the next level.”
Prince Ampofo, Head of Partnerships and Leadership Programmes at EduSpots, said:
“After countless stories of communities leading their own change, here we are, welcoming the next 19! The Ignite Programme builds on the commitment, ideas and experiences of our existing network. Through practical training, mentoring and shared learning, it will equip local volunteers with the skills and confidence to lead inclusive learning spaces. Our aim is for every new Spot to become a place where communities take ownership of expanding educational opportunities and sustaining them for the next generation.”
Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, EduSpots’ Patron and Dean of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, added:
“It’s so exciting to welcome 19 new community teams to the EduSpots network after a decade of igniting community-led change. I wish all the new Catalysts the very best as they begin setting up their Spots and opening up access to practical, digitalised, future-ready education clubs.”
The Ignite Programme is made possible through funding from the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship and Theirworld Education Innovation Award, alongside the support of EduSpots’ wider network of partners.
To learn more about EduSpots’ work, visit www.eduspots.org or follow @eduspots on LinkedIn, X and Facebook, and @edu_spots on Instagram.
Want to help more communities lead their own educational change? To support the Ignite Programme as EduSpots works towards bringing a further 31 communities into the network, contact info@eduspots.org.
