Wingspan – Expanding Leadership for Afghan Refugee Girls
Summary
In 2024, 30 Birds Foundation committed to launch WINGSPAN, a comprehensive leadership development project that will provide 500 Afghan girls and women essential mental health, mentoring, educational, and networking opportunities over two years, empowering them to become global changemakers and reach their full potential. The project will include 3 cohorts of girls over its duration and also provide fully funded university scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to 40-50 unique participants, including application assistance and application cost coverage. WINGSPAN will promote strong participant ownership of the program, foster sustainability through peer-to-peer mentoring, and ensure participants play a direct role in designing and building their community and determining the program’s future success.
Approach
WINGSPAN is a community of Afghan women and girls in the diaspora of North America, committed to creating a new vision of the future. 30 Birds provides essential mental health, mentoring, educational, and networking opportunities that empower participants to become global change-makers. 30 Birds partners offer educational courses and materials, university scholarship funding, and access to professional networks, ensuring comprehensive support for Afghan women and girls to achieve their full potential.
The WINGSPAN program is delivered virtually and in person, including community-building events and an annual conference. Over the course of the commitment period, 3 cohorts will run through the program, with a total of 500 unique individuals participating. Each 10 week semester offers six essential pillars of support:
Mental Health: Support to help participants adjust and thrive, ensuring wellness and sustainability.
Mentorship: An elite program matching girls with top leaders in their fields.
Training Opportunities: Skills in public speaking, leadership, self-empowerment, women’s rights, and genocide prevention.
Scholarships: Full support for university scholarships, application assistance, and application cost coverage. A robust internal scholarship fund ensures that all participants will have access to the funds needed to fully cover university should external opportunities not be found. Per year, we anticipate providing these internal scholarships to 40-50 Wingspan participants, in the range of $10,000-$20,000 each. These numbers reflect the fact that not all Wingspan participants will be of age to apply for University, as the age range of members is 13-35. Any student who has applied and been accepted to University will be eligible to receive this internal scholarship support.
Advanced English Studies: English language learning support for global success.
Micro-Grants: Funding for professional development projects and participant-led community programs (up to $500 per participant) .
Wingspan promotes strong co-ownership of the program, fostering sustainability through peer-to-peer mentoring. Members actively participate in designing and building their community, gaining connection and directing the program’s future success.
Potential challenges include:
Ensuring consistent resource access, especially remotely.
Overcoming cultural and societal barriers faced by Afghan women.
Action Plan
2024 Schedule
Q3: July – September
Conclusion of WINGSPAN Semester 1 (July 19th) : Review coursework, host a closing ceremony, and distribute certificates.
Evaluation of Academy Courses: Collect feedback and analyze data for insights.
Start of WINGSPAN Academy Semester 2 (August 5th – October 11th) : Orientation, implement curriculum, and support participants.
WINGSPAN Summit Prep: Plan logistics and develop promotional materials for the summit.
Q4: October – December
Conclusion of WINGSPAN Semester 2 (October 11th) : Finalize coursework and celebrate achievements.
Summit Preparation: Finalize details, distribute materials, and conduct team meetings.
WINGSPAN Inaugural Summit (November 8-10 in Saskatoon) : Host summit with keynotes, workshops, and networking. Conduct post-event surveys and compile a report.
2025 Schedule
Q1: January – March
Strategic Planning Review: Review and update the strategic plan. Conduct new SWOT analysis and involve stakeholders.
Advisory Board Meetings: Regular meetings to review progress and address challenges.
WINGSPAN Academy Semester 3 (January 13th – March 21st) : Orientation and implement the curriculum. Provide support.
Q2: April – June
Conclusion of Semester 3 (March 21st) : Review coursework, host closing ceremonies, and distribute certificates.
Evaluation of Academy Courses: Collect and analyze feedback.
Start of WINGSPAN Academy Semester 4 (April 7th – June 13th) : Orientation and implement the curriculum.
Q3: July – September
Conclusion of Semester 4 (June 13th) : Celebrate participants’ achievements.
Evaluation and Planning: Review feedback and plan for the next cycle. Implement improvements.
WINGSPAN Summit Prep: Plan logistics and develop promotional materials.
Q4: October – December
Preparation for Next Year: Finalize plans for 2026, including strategic goals and updates.
Summit Preparation: Finalize details, distribute materials, and conduct team meetings.
Host 2nd Annual WINGSPAN Summit
2026 Schedule Q1 and Q2 repeat of 2025, continuing growth and development.
Background
The Taliban’s violent retaking of Afghanistan in 2021 halted the progress of the 30 Birds’ community members, who were on the brink of becoming the country’s next leaders and changemakers. Schools were closed, and dreams were abruptly interrupted. This situation has had a profound impact on Afghan girls, depriving them of educational and professional opportunities, and significantly limiting their ability to contribute to their communities and the future of Afghanistan.
After supporting the evacuation of over 450 at-risk school-aged girls, 30 Birds is dedicated to ensuring that they can continue to pursue their academic and professional aspirations in their new homes. By providing them with the resources, knowledge, and connections they need, 30 Birds helps these young women make meaningful contributions to their new communities and work towards a brighter future. This commitment addresses the urgent need to support displaced Afghan girls in overcoming educational disruptions, fostering their personal development, and enabling them to become agents of change in their new environments and beyond.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
30 Birds Foundation will build on existing knowledge and foster a culture of partnership with like-minded organizations. The Foundation is always open to learning best practices from others, receiving financial assistance, coordinating coursework and summit with partners and experts, and also welcomes media amplification support., 30 Birds Foundation is happy to share our insights and best practices with organizations developing community and educational curriculums. The Foundation is willing to partner with universities to provide scholarships and tuition support for WINGSPAN scholars. Additionally, the Foundation is always eager to share our knowledge and experience about Afghanistan.