Through the Catalyse Leadership Programme, we enable 50 community-based Catalysts to catalyse change in their communities through their leadership of 50 community-owned library-education spaces named ‘Spots’, involving over 10,000 learners in fun, co-creative and imaginative educational opportunities.
This 9 month programme involves Catalysts in collaborative training across project management, team building and community leadership enabling them to enhance the impact of their Spots, which are situated across 12 regions of Ghana and Kenya.
Following a community assets assessment and a 5 day residential Academy, held at Akumadan Spot, Catalysts are supported with 1-1 mentoring, Spot learning visits, structured online workshops, monthly challenges and a dynamic WhatsApp community.
In addition to this, all Catalysts design, deliver and evaluate a Catalyse Project which builds from community assets and interests, receiving flexible grant funding to execute this project, in line with developing the Spot model.
This will impact the educational opportunities of over 10,000 learners of all ages, enabling them to have access to enhanced quality educational opportunities and learning resources through our EduKidz, DigiLit, EcoSTEM and Ignite Equity clubs, including access to digital learning tools as part of the implementation of our ongoing digitalisation plan.
Aside from advancing their Spot impact and sustainability, this programme also provides a pathway into EduSpots’ peer mentor programme and accompanying semi-staff and staff roles, ensuring that Catalyst voice is at the heart of our organisational development with seven Catalysts transitioning into peer mentor wolves in 2025.
On joining the programme one Catalysts commented, “I am excited to be a part of the Catalyse Leadership Programme because I am passionate about driving positive change and empowering others to do the same. With a strong desire to develop my leadership skills and amplify my impact, I believe this program will provide me with the ideal platform to enhance my leadership capabilities, expand my network,deepen my understanding of social impact and to gain the confidence, credibility, and expertise to inspire and mobilize others to join me in driving positive change.”
The Catalyse Leadership Programme has been fully funded over two years by the EA Foundation.
Catalyse Academy
The Catalyse Academy is a 5-day residential training event, hosted by the Akumadan Spot team this year. The Academy involves a range of training sessions, with a focus on collaborative learning and practical engagement, Keeping Spots Safe across community engagement, team building, fundraising, communications, well-being and resilience, project design, and more!
Alongside this, Catalysts will have the opportunity to get to know other Catalysts from across 50 Spots, learning from each others’ experiences, and forming a strong network across the country, with a team building trip to Kintampo Falls designed to allow stronger network-wide bonds to develop.
Whilst 50 Catalyse engage in the Catalyse Academy, directly, a further 400+ Catalysts engage in the wider rollout of the programme through Catalyse Workshops, team coaching and Spot Lead challenges, which involve wider community teams.
2024 Impact
In 2024, the programme involved 30 Catalysts in catalysing change across the wider network. The team of Catalyst improved Spot operations and local community engagement, increased patronage of the Spot and their activities, extended local fundraising and resource mobilisation, and enhanced the quality of educational outcomes, with a particular focus on digital tools enhancing project management and learning.
The Catalysts achieved this whilst growing as leaders, educators and entrepreneurs themselves, with a 3.5% increase in self-efficacy and 4.4% increase in ‘Sense of Community’ index over a 12-month period reflected through Impact Ed’s quantitive study using validated measures, with Catalysts reporting feeling more confident, optimistic and effective as leaders.
As one example of a Catalyse Project, as part of his leadership journey, Mohammed Fuseini successfully led a project at Dulugu Spot aimed at increasing girls’ interest in science. The project engaged 30 girls from three local schools, using surveys and interviews to understand their challenges in learning science. The team then designed and delivered practical, hands-on STEM lessons both in their schools and at the Spot. As a result, the girls showed increased interest and confidence in science, with follow-up interviews confirming a positive shift in their engagement and enthusiasm for the subject.
Another project from Ejisu-Besease involved creating a ‘Knowledge Box’ systems that identified key resource needs among local schools, such as dictionaries and text books, and the creation of a rotational system to increase access to basic resources.
Describing the impact of the Catalyse Leadership Programme upon her in 2024, Gifty, now Communications Peer Mentor commented that:
“I developed essential skills in project management, leadership and teamwork, learning to adapt and problem-solve effectively. This experience taught me the importance of stakeholder involvement, building trust, and cultural sensitivity in community engagement. I now approach challenges with confidence, creativity and a deeper sense of community needs. The project’s lessons will stay with me, shaping my future endeavours and inspiring me to continue making a meaningful impact.”
We are continuing to look for sponsorship for this programme and the new Spots Ignite Programme in 2026, alongside resource donations across digital tools, books and wider learning tools. Contact our the team at info@eduspots.org if you might be able to support.
More information on the Catalyse Leadership Programme and EduSpots wider work can be found at www.eduspots.org.
