ARISE HER Project 2026
A structured girl-child education & empowerment project for secondary-school students in underserved communities and at risk of dropping out of school in Nigeria, aged 13–17.
“She rises. She leads. She transforms the world.”
Applications close 31st July 2026
Empowering future leaders through life skills & sustainability education
To equip twenty (20) girls, particularly from underserved communities, orphans, single-parent homes, and those at risk of dropping out of school, with academic scholarship, life-skills development, career orientation and structured mentorship through the Circular Learning Space, fostering sustainability awareness and preparing them for future careers.
Explore the Initiative
Who We Are
ARISE HER is a structured girl-child education & empowerment initiative led by the Startup Business Foundation (SBF), coordinated by SBF-Community, and backed by a network of regulatory, health, legal and development partners. Our mission is to equip girls, particularly young women in underserved communities, with life skills and confidence through the Circular Learning Space, preparing them for future careers.
read moreread less
- Imo State Ministry of Education and IMSUBEB, for regulatory engagement and school access
- Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, and partner primary health centres
- Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare
- Imo State chapter of FIDA
- Bank of Industry youth desk
- A vetted ICT centre
- UNICEF Nigeria and UNFPA Nigeria
What We Do
ARISE HER empowers the next generation of girls by combining academic scholarship, career guidance, mentorship and CSR collaboration. Through the Circular Learning Space we equip scholars with essential life and entrepreneurial skills, preparing them to thrive and drive positive change in their communities.
read moreread less
It runs as twelve monthly Saturday workshops over a twelve-month cycle, anchored in a participant workbook and supported by trained near-peer mentors.
The substance is drawn from frameworks already familiar to Nigerian regulators, covering communication, reproductive health, safeguarding, civic rights, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership, digital safety and psychosocial wellbeing.
Strategic Objectives
The Life-Skills pillar pursues six objectives, each stated so the Foundation can assess whether it has been met within the cycle.
read moreread less
- A structured, mentored, girl-only space to think aloud about identity, communication and the choices ahead.
- Age-appropriate knowledge of menstrual and reproductive health, consent and GBV, with clear referral pathways.
- Practical capability in budgeting, saving, opportunity recognition and basic employability.
- Confidence, public voice and goal-setting habits that support continued schooling.
- Basic digital literacy and online safety for navigating online spaces safely.
- Learning translated into a girl-led community action project that closes the cycle.
There is a place for you
Whether you are a girl ready to rise, an organisation ready to back her, or a volunteer ready to give time, ARISE HER has a way for you to take part.
For Participants
Gain access to the Circular Learning Space, an interactive in-person session exploring leadership, reproductive health, financial literacy, civic rights, digital and entrepreneurial skills, with challenge-based learning that builds problem-solving and teamwork.
For Partners
Collaborate with ARISE HER to sponsor learning modules, share industry expertise and support girl-child education. Gain visibility while contributing to a skilled, future-ready workforce that drives innovation and sustainability.
For Volunteers
Lend your time and skills as a near-peer mentor or workshop facilitator. Volunteers are central to the Circular Learning Space, creating the safe, trusted adult company every scholar needs to thrive.
An investment in twenty girls
Our 2026 inaugural cohort: twenty girls from underserved communities, equipped with scholarships, mentorship and life skills to keep them in school and rising.
An interactive, in-person learning environment at the heart of ARISE HER.
What scholars learn
A holistic curriculum delivered across the twelve-month cycle, grouped into three areas of growth.
Health & Wellbeing
- Menstrual & reproductive health
- Safeguarding & consent
- Psychosocial wellbeing
Skills & Enterprise
- Financial literacy
- Entrepreneurship & employability
- Digital skills & online safety
Voice & Citizenship
- Communication & confidence
- Leadership & goal-setting
- Civic rights & active citizenship
Sign up for our newsletter
Get ARISE HER news, events and opportunities from SBF-Community, straight to your inbox.