EduSpots was created to show that communities themselves can design, lead and sustain transformative learning.

Since 2015, over 700 local changemakers named Catalysts across 13 regions of Ghana and Kenya have come together to create 52 community-led learning spaces named Spots.

Following extensive training, the Catalysts lead clubs for learners in basic education across early years education, digital skills, literacy, STEM, climate action and gender equity through monthly practical project-based learning activities which link to the national curriculum whilst strengthening 21st century skills. The Spots also open access to books, digital tools and wider learning resources with an EduSpots App designed to support the process of igniting community-led learning.

This week, 18 new communities across the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West regions are joining the network through the Ignite Programme: Cheshe, Choggu, Dabokpa, Gbintiri, Gbolo Kpalsi, Gongnia, Happah, Kalande, Kolinvai, Nabayili, Nalogni, Nyankpala, Nyingari, Walewale, Wurshe, Yakubupe, Yunyoo, Zinye.

From 15-18th October, 80 new Catalysts will engage in a three-day in person training Academy at Radach Conference Centre in Tamale which focuses on a mix of collaborative and practical training across community engagement, leadership and education, alongside explaining EduSpots’ model for driving community-led change. Following this, they will roll-out training in their communities to a wider group of over 100 Catalysts.

The programme also equips each Spot with an Ignite Kit of key start-up resources and technology, alongside a book box, ahead of moving communities through a 12-step series of teamwork challenges needed to set up their Spots. Supported by a blend of online training, WhatsApp for learning, peer mentors and the EduSpots App, EduSpots aims to enable over 200 new local Catalysts to join the network in 2026, ahead of an expansion to 1000 Catalysts, impacting 20,000 learners in 100 Spots by the end of 2027.

EduSpots has also recently launched EduSpots Unlocked, aiming to share learnings from the last decade and collaborate with educators across the world. This includes online courses, an edu-animation YouTube Channel, and facilitating communities of practice, including the Ghana Climate Education Community of Practice (CECOP).

One new Catalyst, from Dabokpa Junior High School, Grace Appah, commented: “My motivation for us to join EduSpots was to help learners to build their confidence to be able to read, and to not have any limitation to come up because they are not able to read. So I saw an avenue whereby I can apply, be trained, so I can be more effective as an educator, so that I can be able to lead these children to be able to be themselves and move from where they are to the next level.”

Prince Ampofo, Head of Partnerships and Leadership Programmes, explained: “After countless local stories of communities leading their own change, here we are welcoming the next 19! The Ignite Programme is a result of the commitment, ideas and experiences present in our existing network. Through practical training, mentoring and shared learning, the programme will equip local volunteers with the skills and confidence to lead inclusive learning spaces. Our aim is for each new Spot to become a place where the community takes ownership of expanding educational opportunities and sustaining them for the next generation.”

Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, EduSpots’ Patron and the Dean of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana commented, 

“It’s so exciting to be welcoming 19 new community teams to the EduSpots network after a decade of igniting community-led change. I wish all the new Catalysts all the best as they start their setting up their Spots, and opening access to  practical, digitised future-ready education clubs.”

The new Spots programme is funded with thanks to the Mastercard Foundation EdTech fellowship, Theirworld Education Innovation Award, and through the invaluable support of wider partners including the mc2h foundation and Book Aid International.

For more information on EduSpots’ work visit www.eduspots.org or follow EduSpots on @eduspots on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and @edu_spots on Instagram. To support the Ignite Programme roll-out, and help bring a further 30 new communities on board, email info@eduspots.org.