About us
Global Girls Foundation aims to mobilise partnerships and resources to tackle gender inequality by empowering girls worldwide.
Our work with young people
Youth are central to the Global Girls Foundation’s work. Youth delegates advise us at every stage of what we do to shift power and resources and strengthen our effectiveness, reach and networks.
We facilitate young people’s initiatives and goals, to elevate young voices, activate their demands and move towards the future they want to see.
Our youth delegate Neha is a member of Plan International’s Global Youth Reference Group (YRG) whose role is to represent the voices of young people, bring youth perspectives to the forefront of decision-making and programming, and ensure they are active contributors to global strategies.
Neha plays a key role in helping us achieve the changes that young people want to see.
Neha: My work with Global Girls Foundation
“Working with Global Girls Foundation means I’m not just advocating for change—I’m actively shaping it. I’ve had the opportunity to raise the voices of girls who are often unheard and to represent the strength, leadership, and potential that young people bring to global change.
“I hope to continue creating spaces where girls can lead, influence policy, and take charge of their futures. Through my work, I aim to inspire more young philanthropists to invest in youth-led solutions and to build a world where every girl is empowered to thrive.
“I envision Global Girls Foundation expanding its reach, investing in long-term mentorship, and creating inclusive, empowering spaces where young people are not only heard but trusted as co-creators of solutions and can lead with purpose and authenticity.
“By championing youth—especially girls and women—we can build a future rooted in equality, innovation, and sustainable change.
“I bring youth perspectives to the forefront of decision-making and programming by:
- Meeting regularly with the team.
- Presenting the views of my peers at board meetings, to enhance ways of working and build a think tank for future young philanthropists.
- Contributing as a youth advocate on multiple global priorities that affect young people and relaying their wishes so we can adapt and evolve to their needs.
- Analysing and evaluating Global Girls Foundation’s resources and communications, sharing recommendations on how we can be more effective in our work with young people and philanthropists.
- Undertaking research on young philanthropists globally and surveying YRG members to identify what matters to global changemakers.
- Meeting with and presenting the views of young people with the International Board of Plan International.”
Pictured: Neha, Youth Delegate at the Global Girls Foundation.
We also work closely with youth delegates and young activists who advise us on our strategy.
For instance, we are developing a “Girls and Philanthropy” dialogue series to create a space where philanthropists and young activists can discuss how to shift power dynamics and enable girl-led change.
How your partnership can have impact
Equality Accelerator
Collectif Kreye are a group of women filmmakers in Haiti using cinema as a tool for education, gender justice, and cultural preservation. Bringing film screenings and audiovisual workshops to Haiti’s most remote areas, they spark critical discussions around human rights, gender equity, and environmental issues.
“We lost everything due to gang violence, but this [equality accelerator] grant gave us the means to rebuild. With internet and energy, we can now host young creatives and move toward greater victories. This is a small step that makes us proud and paves the way for larger achievements.” — Collectif Kreye
Plan International’s Equality Accelerator is a one-of-a-kind youth-led digital platform tailored for young activists like Collectif Kreye, that provides simplified direct flexible funding opportunities, shares learning resources and creates a global network of youth activists.
Less than 1% of international development funding goes to youth-led organisations, activism, and advocacy efforts by girl-led organisations in the Global South. This platform closes the funding and resources gap, so young people can advocate for change in their communities.
With your support, the Equality Accelerator can be rolled out globally and support even more girl-led organisations.
Skills and Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (SOYEE)
“One of the challenges I had to face was the barrier of men. They would meet me and think I didn’t have the capacity.
“I urge women to take the lead, to not be swayed by social prejudice or what people might say.” Ana, general services business owner, Paraguay.
Business owner Ana has broken down gender stereotypes with her general services business, through which she offers electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry and gardening services.
SOYEE bolsters the resilience of vulnerable and excluded young women so they can get good jobs or start businesses in different fields.
With your support we can link young people with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities globally.
For more information contact:
Lea Bachmann, Co-Managing Director Global Girls Foundation
Susanna Tornyay, Co-Managing Director Global Girls Foundation
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