EduSpots: A Future Led By Communities

EduSpots doesn’t just provide resources; they ignited a culture of learning, collaboration and leadership that changed my life.

(Abdul-Raheem, learner now Catalyst, Sakasaka Spot)

EduSpots: A Future Led by Communities Join us in the next decade of igniting digitalised future-ready education

SCAN TO WATCH

OUR 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FILM ON YOUTUBE

About EduSpots EduSpots isn’t like some other organisations that tell people what to do. It inspires everyone to see that they can do whatever they dream of and to build our collective future together.

(Abdul Manaf, Learner & Catalyst, Abofour Spot) EduSpots is a network of local changemakers named ‘Catalysts’, who create the futures they want to see for their communities through education spaces named ‘Spots’.

The first ‘Spot’ was established in Abofour in 2015, through the initiative of the Addae family and local teachers, grounded in the core principles of community ownership, school collaboration, and locally-led change.

This model emerged in response to a nearby library that remained largely inaccessible, often locked and lacking meaningful community engagement.

Since that initial effort, over 600 local Catalysts have mobilised to co-create a dynamic, community-driven education network spanning 11 regions across Ghana and EduSpots first international Spot in Kenya.

Ghana

Since 2015

50 700

sustainable learning hubs named ‘Spots’ created local Catalysts connected, shaping our unique model of future-ready education

OVER 50,000 OVER

£1 MILLION

learners ignited, with 24% of Catalysts under 25

raised to support this work

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What is a Spot?

The Spot is a symbol of hope and possibility.... through EduSpots, I and countless others have discovered a passion for community development.

The Spot model is a pioneering, locally led approach to education. EduSpots supports Catalysts with the tools, networks and guidance they need to deliver programmes to learners, who are called Sparks.

(Adu Boahen Carlos, Catalyst Committee Chair)

CONCEPT ORIGIN

LOCAL LEADERS

SAFE SPACES

TECHENABLED

FUTURE-READY CLUBS

SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES

The name ‘Spot’ derives from the Ghanaian concept of ‘drinking spots’, which are found with diverse forms, names and beats across Ghana!

Spots are led by trained and connected intergenerational teams of teachers, older students and community members overseen by a Spot Committee.

Spots have a space associated with them, donated by the community. All Spots engage in a communityled approach to safeguarding: Keeping Spots Safe.

Spots use EduSpots’ App to track activities, register Catalysts and learners and access our Education Hub. Teams are connected in a dynamic peerlearning network on WhatsApp.

Catalysts lead clubs across early years education, digital and literacy skills, STEM & environmental education and gender equity, determined by their needs and aspirations.

EduSpots equips all Spots with some tablets and a wifi kit, alongside books by local authors and sustainable strand-related resource kits, with digital resources provided online.

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Who are our Catalysts?

I see a group of people full of passion to make others’ lives better. Even when I’m ready to sleep, I always think about this and it motivates me to do more.

(Seidu Yayha, Catalyst & Regional Coordinator, Ejura Spot)

Catalysts are local changemakers at the heart of EduSpots’ mission. Working in underserved communities across Ghana and Kenya, they are voluntary educators, 64% of whom are teachers, 43% women and 60% under 35.

They bring deep knowledge of their context, long-term commitment and a shared passion for educational equity.

They strengthen teaching practices, foster leadership and civic engagement among learners and collaborate with schools and communities to drive sustainable, locally-led educational development.

Why do Catalysts join EduSpots?

1.

Genuine desire to join a movement for change

2.

Recognition and peer support

3.

Free access to EduBytes Digital Skills training & resources

4.

Careers support, pathways and professional development

Over 100 (25%) of EduSpots’ Catalysts have been with EduSpots for 3 years or longer.

3

Building from local assets and aspirations

At first, my community believed only a powerful authority could bring educational reform. Today, the presence of Dulugu Spot and the impact made by local Catalysts has changed that perception.

(Getrude Akunlibe, Dulugu Spot Founder, now Northern Cluster Regional Coordinator)

In a context in rural Ghana where 35% of children do not complete primary school (UNESCO, 2020), Getrude’s journey could have looked very different. Studying with a torchlight shared between her family, with the support of her community, she rose to become the top graduate in Computer Science at Academic City University, earning a Presidential Scholarship.

Her first step whilst studying? Giving back by establishing a community-led learning space, or ‘Spot’, in her hometown of Dulugu in 2019 and shifting norms of female leadership in the process. And Getrude is just one of 400 active Catalysts.

Today, Getrude mentors over 100 volunteers named Catalysts across the Northern Region of Ghana, part of a wider techenabled network of 400 local Catalysts igniting 10,000 learners annually with future-ready education.

Getrude applies to set up a Spot

Learning shifts to be more interactive, inclusive and communityorientated

Team join collaborative training & set up clubs

4

Learners & Catalysts strengthen their future as Changemakers

The EduSpots Model Works The shift towards more learner-centred, inclusive, and practical teaching methods has transformed school-based pedagogy, making education more relevant and engaging for students.

(Expectation State, Independent Study, 2025)

64% OF LEARNERS

52% INCREASE

25% OF SPOTS

13% INCREASE

10% INCREASE

increase ASER literacy score by one or more levels in 10 months

in empathy and cultural sensitivity among Catalysts

were started

by Catalysts who moved to new communities

in learners’ emotional engagement in Maths & Science in 10 months

in Sense of Community Index among Catalysts

(ASER) Annual Status of Education Report

EduKidz Club

DigiLit Club

Borrowing Books during Covid

Manaf’s journey Starts here

Manaf’s Story If the Spot wasn’t here, I think I’d still be that scared student who was always worried when he had maths.

I wouldn’t even be speaking English with you right now.

Manaf is one of 2800 learners annually that enrol in EduSpots’ future-ready education clubs, with more than 10% of learners becoming Catalysts.

(Abdul Manaf, Learner & Catalyst, Abofour Spot)

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in 11 months

EcoSTEM Club President

Active Catalyst Manaf’s journey today

Scan here to watch the full journey of Manaf

The Vision: Scaling Impact The intervention model, focusing on community ownership, innovative teaching methods, and cultural alignment, has proven effective in measuring the model’s impact and its potential to be replicated in other contexts.

(Expectation State, 2025)

What we are expanding and why After a decade of Catalysts and staff working hand in hand to shape our unique model for community-led education, the next phase will see 50 new Spots join through a process co-created with local leaders.

This expansion directly responds to the growing demand from local teams seeking to join our network, amidst rising educational inequity, economic challenges and digital exclusion.

With an established Education Hub and a dedicated team of full-time specialists in place, we are fully equipped to grow efficiently, delivering increased impact while benefiting from economies of scale.

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How will we get there?

THIS IS THE COLLECTIVE PATHWAY WE’VE MAPPED:

Our first chapter was about creating.

The next will be about sustaining – creating an EduSpots network that outlasts us all.

The dream is the global expansion of a self-propelling education network, built on the principle that communities, not external actors, are the architects of their own futures, with communities building from their own Spot vision (as captured in photo above).

STAGE 1: 2026-2027

STAGE 2: 2028-2030

STAGE 3: 2030-3034

SUSTAIN

Deepen sustainability & impact of current network

LEARNINGS

Use learnings to determine future strategy

IGNITE

Expand from 50-100 Spots, researching Spot forms including online

SCALE

Become the leading global organisation igniting digitalised community-led education

VIA PARTNERSHIP

Explore delivery partners in Ghana and 2 other countries

STRENGTHEN

Consolidate government and wider partnerships

UNLOCKED

EXPAND

Share community-led education learnings via EduSpots Unlocked

Grow to 500 Spots in Ghana

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A Spot accreditation, global online networks, extensive sharing of strategies

A Journey to a Sustainable Learning Network After EduSpots’ training, I started to get closer to all the stakeholders in education - parents, chief imams and all the rest. Having explained the concept of EduSpots to them and my teachers, many things changed in this school and in the community as a whole.

(Hamidu Kaadri, Yamfo Spot)

With just £15,000, you can help communities embark on a four-year journey of growth and transformation, giving them the resources, training and support they need to achieve their goals and sustain meaningful change.

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3-4

Ignite Programme

Catalyse Leadership Programme

The Sustain Programme

Collabroative training: Spot set-up, leadership, safeguarding, finance, communications

Community-led Spot assets evaluation & mapping

Long-term Spot sustainability planning

Start-up Support: Tablets, WiFi, books, micro-grant for renovations

Leadership Academy training & online workshops

Academy on fundraising, partnerships & climate action

Education Hub: Catalysts lead a learner strand after 6-month induction

Catalyse Grant design & delivery with mentoring

SUSTAIN local enterprise projects

Digital Skills Training Alongside this, Spots engage in our Education Hub, Keeping Spots Safe certificate and extensive Digital Skills training, all facilitated by the EduSpots app which also enables Catalysts to register learners, recruit local Catalysts, track resources and activities and manage their finances.

The EduSpots App We developed an app to enable Catalysts and staff to register Catalysts and learners effectively, access EduSpots’ programmes and mentoring, and have live information of Spot activities. In 2024, over 300 Catalysts and 2000 learners are registered.

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Why This Investment Lasts EduSpots has realised its vision of community-driven change by empowering an effective network of young people and community members who initiate positive changes ... and can sustain and expand EduSpots’ work.

(Expectation State, 2025)

Local Ownership From the outset, Spots are owned and led by communities with no ongoing costs paid to communities aside programme related data costs. Spots are overseen by local Spot Committees, comprising headteachers, parents, students, alongside traditional, religious and political leaders.

Leadership Resilience Spot Catalysts appoint three leaders, each relating to a section of the model: Spot Leadership, Keeping Spots Safe, and Educational Equity. This avoids Spots collapsing if one leader is transferred to another community.

Digital Network Model All Catalysts are part of a dynamic peer learning network run through WhatsApp and Zoom at low cost; this network sustains long after programme cycles end, with our online Education Hub offering a wide range of quality educational training and resources.

Sustainability Leadership Training Through our Leadership Programmes, Catalysts engage in collaborative training on community engagement, team building, fundraising, partnerships and communication, giving them the skills to develop their own local micro-organisation.

Local Fundraising and Partnerships Spots lead their own local fundraising and partnerships development through events, enterprise, campaigns and grants applications, with regional coordinators supporting them every step of this journey.

78% of Spots have secured local funding or partnerships to support ongoing operations.

No Catalysts receive ongoing payment from EduSpots aside data costs support, ensuring community ownership.

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What Your Funding Makes Possible The model offers a structured approach to programme delivery. It offers significant value for money, leveraging volunteer engagement and capacity building to maximise impact.

(Expectation State, Independent Evaluation, 2025)

£4,000 - Lays the Foundations for a Sustainable Spot

18.8%

%

DATA COSTS: £100

20%

TECHNOLOGY, BOOKS & 18.8% RESOURCE KITS : £750

18.8%

2.5%

7.5

%

8 7.

12.5%

%

ACADEMY TRAINING COSTS: £500

10%

7.5%

12.5 %

FLEXIBLE COMMUNITY GRANTS: £300

2.5%

2.5

CONTRIBUTION TO ORGANISATION RUNNING: £750

18.8%

Enables a new Spot to join the network and progress through the 12-month Ignite Programme alongside peers

PROGRAMME STAFFING & PEER MENTORS: £800

20%

RECOGNITION & PRIZE GRANTS: £100

2.5%

SAFEGUARDING PATHWAYS : £300

7.5%

LEARNING VISITS & MEL: £400

10%

Impact:

10

Catalysts advance leadership, digital and education skills

500

30-50 empathy and leadership skills Sparks grow confidence,

Learners gain access to safe resource hubs; learning becoming more inclusive & practical

A collaborative grassroots education network strengthens across Ghana and beyond

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£20,000 - Enables One Learning Pathway to run for 1 year across 20-30 communities IGNITE EQUITY

EDUKIDZ

(KG-P3)

DIGILIT

(P4-6)

KEEPING SPOTS SAFE

All Years

ECOSTEM

(P4-6)

DIGITAL SKILLS

Catalysts & learners

(GENDER EQUITY)

Reach for each:

30

grow through collaborative CATALYSTS training their 900 transform leadership, literacy SPARKS

and confidence

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JHS 1-3

Partner With Us

Recognition and Engagement: When you support EduSpots, you’re not just funding change, you’re becoming part of it. We’re committed to keeping our partners informed, involved and celebrated every step of the way

How We Keep You Engaged:

As a valued supporter, you can expect: Regular updates and impact reporting so you can see the difference your support is making Spot visits with our Catalysts.

Either in person or virtually Invitations to EduChamps Talks.

Connecting you with changemakers and thought leaders.

Opportunities to be involved in ongoing campaigns, shaping and strengthening our work.

Public Recognition (With Your Consent) We are proud to celebrate our supporters and the role you play in transforming communities.

With your permission, your contribution may be recognised through: Logo placement on the EduSpots website (www.eduspots.org) Recognition in key publications, including our Annual and Impact Reports.

Tagging and mentions on social media, where appropriate.

Acknowledgement at in-person and online events Celebration as part of our community at annual awards ceremonies.

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Join us as a partner in impact.

Your support helps drive sustainable change and we would be honoured to recognise and engage you as part of the EduSpots community.

If you’d like to go deeper…

Here’s more about EduSpots, our model and the communities we work alongside.

We Don’t Choose Communities; Communities Choose to Lead Our award-winning model is powered by passionate educators and changemakers who step forward to lead learning in their own communities. We respond to this energy, not impose it. This makes our approach unique, deeply sustainable and locally rooted.

Spots join through a transparent and community-led process:

Info Session Expression of Interest

Ignite Academy

Interview Extended Application

Community Visit

6-Month Staged programme

Over 200 local leaders are currently seeking to establish a Spot, inspired by the visibility and impact of our growing network. And we now run an open Expression of Interest process for individuals and teams who want to lead the change.

Key to our strategy is creating structured pathways from Catalyst roles into staff roles. 11 Catalysts have transitioned into staff roles so far through the peer mentor programme and other routes, with 40% of the entire staff and peer mentor team bringing Catalyst experience.

Selection Criteria (New Spot teams)

The model’s ability to be replicated and the benefits derived by the community indicate its potential to make a lasting impact in diverse contexts.

(Expectation State, 2025)

Passionate team Community buy-in Internet access Demonstrated need or aspiration Commitment to safeguarding Safe space for learning Understanding of EduSpots’ model

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EduSpots received 140 applications from community teams in August 2025.

Different Types of Spots In each of these diverse types of Spot, there is a Spot Management Committee comprising diverse types of community stakeholder, ensuring strong local ownership. The Spot’s space and activities must be open to the wider community for free, with learning and engagement events constantly involving parents and wider community members.

SPOTS BASED IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS OR ON SCHOOL LAND, LED BY TEACHERS

SPOTS BASED IN COMMUNITY CENTRES OR LIBRARIES, LED BY COMMUNITIES

Example: Sakasaka Spot, Founded: 2019

Example: AkumadanSpot Founded: 2016

SPOTS LED BY PRIVATE SCHOOL TEAMS (OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY) Example: Abofour Spot Founded: 2015 Joining fee may be required

SPOTS LED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES (REQUIRE MOU) The EduSpots team have partnered with Ghana Library Authority in Teshie, also exploring other opportunities for collaboration with government.

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SPOTS LED BY NGOS (LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL ) Joining fee be required Example: Homay Kpenoe Founded: 2025

ONLINE SPOTS FOCUSED ON AN AREA OF INTEREST Example:Climate Education Community of Practice Founded: 2025

Yamfo’s Story

A school-based Spot

By the end of the programme, 65% of participants had taken on leadership roles in their communities or schools, demonstrating a remarkable increase in civic engagement and leadership skills.

(Expectation State, 2025)

A Spark’s Journey: Hawawu

My dream is to become a computer science engineer through EcoSTEM and for Yamfo to become one of the best Spots in the country.

(Hawawu, Yamfo Spot)

80% of Spots are based in government-run schools.

“My passion for reading led me to EduSpots, an innovative institution which creates learning spaces called Spots. Our Catalysts use a playbased teaching approach that makes learners happy. Yamfo Islamic Basic School’s Spot was stocked with a variety of books, magazines, and other learning resources.

I started visiting the Spot in class 4 to improve my reading skills and later joined the Readers’ Club which significantly improved my literacy skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing abilities. It also provided a platform for social interaction, enabling members to discuss their thoughts and perspectives on different books.

In 2022, I led Yamfo Circuit’s GIRLS IN ICT team to the municipal and regional level. Fortunately, two of GIRLS IN ICT of Yamfo Islamic School were selected to represent the municipality at the national level. Then I was taken to Accra for a tour to companies which fall under ICTlike, MTN, Vodafone (Telecel), Kofi Annan IT center and others.

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After Mr. Hamidu Kaadri returned from the Catalyse Leadership Programme, I had a deeper understanding of the concept of EduSpots and started to actively participate in monthly challenges. My true journey with EduSpots started when l was lead learner for EduLit and EcoSTEM strands.

Yamfo Fact File Opening hours: 5 days and 5 evenings a week plus some weekend opening

My team emerged winners in the Spelling Bee and Reading Competition organized by the circuit and also Science and Maths Quiz organized by a local NGO called HEROES’ Foundation. All these remarkable achievements were due to the establishment of the Spot and the training of Catalysts.

Spot learners: 527 (11% Primary, 80% Junior High School), 65% female

Clubs:

Today, I am fully involved in the EcoSTEM strand for which I am the Vice President. Apart from participation in the monthly challenges, we are also embarking on a STEM project based on setting up an LED, an alarm system and coding to function automatically. I visit the Spot every day from Monday to Friday and sometimes weekends to participate in club sessions, monthly challenges. I go to the Spot on weekends for my personal studies.”

Running DigiLit and Ignite Equity Clubs weekly within the school timetable

Keeping Spots Safe: Mentoring teachers across the district in safeguarding

Before joining EduSpots, I was an ordinary headteacher. I returned not just as a school leader, but as a strategic leader, a change maker, community builder and staff-developer.

(Hamidu Kaadri, Yamfo Spot)

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A Spark’s Journey: Jeffrey

Akumadan’s Story A community-based Spot

“I joined EduSpots because I wanted to be a life long learner and gain access to resources that weren’t available in my school. I was drawn to the vibrant atmosphere and diverse activities offered at the Spot. I enthusiastically participated in the ECOSTEM club, literacy programs, and skills training sessions.

I fondly remember the mentorship program, where I was paired with a positive role model (a fellow Catalyst) who guided me in setting goals and developing a growth mindset, making me an EcoSTEM Lead now.

EduSpots has been my second home, a place where I’ve grown, learned, and discovered my strengths.

(Jeffrey, Akumadan Spot)

I visit the Spot regularly, at least three times a week, to utilize the library resources, lead club meetings, and seek guidance from the Catalysts. Through EduSpots, I have gained confidence, developed critical thinking skills, and discovered a passion for leadership.

I credit EduSpots for my smooth transition into senior high school and my decision to become a Catalyst, which is a great inspiration for others.”

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Akumadan Fact File Commissioned by the local community:

Education Hub:

December 2016

4 strands: EduKidz, DigiLit, EcoSTEM, Ignite Equity engaging in Keeping Spots Safe and Spot Lead Challenges.

Opening hours:

Fundraising:

6 days and 6 nights a week.

Leadership Team: Over 40 Catalysts enrolled, with those at university or outside the community joining monthly team meetings on Zoom. Overseen

by Spot Committee & Patron.

Annual ‘EduFun’ events, community durbars, alongside charging Catalysts a levy for membership and winning a grant from the Youth Mobilisation Fund.

School Partnerships: 11 schools use the Akumadan Spot and its 4000+ books and digital resources.

Our Spots have become beacons of knowledge, creativity, and innovation, providing a platform for individuals to grow, share, and learn from one another.

(Adu Boahen Carlos, Catalyst Committee Chair)

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Guided by Outstanding Leadership

We’re not just implementing a pre-set model. Our ideas and experiences are actively shaping how EduSpots evolves. It’s truly a collaborative effort.

(Ameyaw Spot Catalyst, Independent Evaluation, 2025)

ADU BOAHEN CARLOS

NIMATU ABDUL-RAHMAN

Catalyst Committee Chair Akumadan Spot Project Lead

Catalyst Committee Vice-Chair Savelugu Spot Founder

EduSpots’ Catalysts elect a committee each year who lead on key network decision-making, and represent the network at all key events.

We are championed by three exceptional Ghanaian leaders, with 100% of education content design led by Ghanaians.

EMERITUS PROFESSOR GLORIA AGYEMANG

DR. RICHARD AMOAH

Chair of Global NGO Trustees

Chair of Ghana NGO Directors

Professor Agyemang was previously Executive Dean of the School of Business and Management at Royal Holloway University and the first Black woman in the UK to lead a university business school.

With a PhD exploring using data and indigenous narratives for educational advancement at the foundational level, Dr Amoah is Head of Research and Stakeholder Engagement at Education SubSaharan Africa.

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PROFESSOR ELSIE EFFAH KAUFMANN EduSpots’ Patron

Alongside her role as Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor Kaufmann is a multi-award winning national education icon, presenting the televised National Science and Mathematics Quiz.

Communities Leading; Partners Walking Alongside

I have been working with education and community development NGOs in Ghana for almost 25 years and EduSpots stands out for the quality of its work, the creativity of its model and the integrity of its people.

(Sally Vivyan, Co-Director, Gower Street Trust)

Whilst our work is primary led by local Catalysts in communities supported by passion staff (50% of whom have come from the Catalyst network), we have brought together an incredible base of partners across the past decade who contribute in diverse ways.

Our Partners and Supporters

SCAN TO WATCH

OUR 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FILM ON YOUTUBE

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Ghana

From One LEGO Library to a Network of Community Changemakers We started our fundraising with £1 per brick, with learners across the world investing in education and teachers across the world championing the Spot context.

Now, we’re ready to take the next bold step, but we can’t do it without you.

With your support, we can launch another 50 new Spots over the next 2 years whilst strengthening our existing network, creating vibrant, transformative learning cultures - shaped and sustained by local leaders and young people working in collaboration with communities.

Let’s start a conversation.

Whether you’d like to arrange a call, learn more or explore giving opportunities, we would love to hear from you.

Contact: Saramine Mukute Email: smukute@eduspots.org Together, we can transform access to education, one Spot, one community, one future at a time.

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SCAN HERE TO DONATE

In 10 years time, I’d like to become a staff of EduSpots, helping and mentoring great Catalysts like me. My Spot will have given birth to 10 more Spot and EduSpots will have thousands of Catalysts across the nation (Abdul Manaf, Spark & Catalyst, Abofour Spot)

Join us in the next steps in building #OurCollectiveFuture

Contact:

info@eduspots.org For further information

www.eduspots.org

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