Community Champions Program

The Community Champions Program is a flagship leadership, mentorship, and community empowerment initiative by the Women in STEAM Initiative designed to equip young women and youth with the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to create positive impact within their communities.

Launched in 2025, the program was created to bridge the gap between leadership, mentorship, digital literacy, and grassroots community engagement by empowering young women to become mentors, facilitators, advocates, and role models in their own communities.

The program recognizes that sustainable community transformation begins when local young leaders are equipped with the right tools, opportunities, and support systems to lead change from within.

The first cohort included eight (8) Community Champions who underwent a three-month intensive training program. They were trained in key areas such as STEM facilitation, communication, leadership, event delivery, monitoring and reporting, and 21st-century skills including creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

In 2026, we have partnered with Sapphire Group Malawi to train the first 5 community champions and seek to recruit 60 successful community champions for Kenya who will take lead in empowering their communities and select successful Women in STEAM Initiative Fellows Network by end of 2026 who will officially join the organization in community empowerment projects. 

What the Program Does

• The Community Champions Program trains young women through a structured mentorship and leadership development model that combines:

  • Leadership training
  • Community engagement
  • Public speaking
  • Digital literacy
  • 21st century skills
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Mentorship and facilitation skills
  • Social impact and advocacy

Participants undergo intensive training and practical assignments that prepare them to engage communities, mentor girls and youth, and lead impactful community sessions.

Advancing Youth and Young Women Beyond Leadership Training

As part of the Community Champions Program, Women in STEAM Initiative has introduced an Extended Leadership & Digital Upskilling Phase designed to provide outstanding participants with continued professional growth, digital empowerment, and leadership development opportunities beyond the initial Community Champions training.

The extended phase was created to support highly committed participants who demonstrate strong leadership potential, communication abilities, consistency, professionalism, and interest in digital empowerment and community impact.

PURPOSE OF THE EXTENDED PROGRAM

The extended program seeks to:

• • Advance participants’ digital and professional skills
  • Strengthen career readiness and employability
  • Build a network of young women leaders and facilitators
  • Prepare participants for advanced leadership and community engagement roles
  • Equip young women with practical digital skills for the modern workforce
  • Create long-term mentorship and empowerment opportunities

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE EXTENDED PROGRAM?

Participants are selected from the Community Champions cohort based on:

• • Commitment and consistency during training
  • Attendance and active participation
  • Leadership and facilitation abilities
  • Communication and teamwork skills
  • Professionalism and discipline
  • Strong interest in digital learning and innovation
  • Successful completion of assignments and community activities

The extended phase is highly competitive and designed for participants who demonstrate exceptional growth and dedication throughout the Community Champions Program.

LEADERSHIP TO FELLOWSHIP PATHWAY

The Extended Program serves as a pathway into the:

Women in STEAM Initiative Fellows Network

Participants who successfully complete both the Community Champions Program and the extended upskilling phase become eligible to join the Fellows Network — a growing ecosystem of trained young women leaders working closely with Women in STEAM Initiative.