Objectives for the project are:

1. Effective and increased public education programmes on environmental sustainability
2. Providing early leadership training programmes for 8-11 years old girls
3. Empowering and guiding girls in positive social participation
4. Equipping the next generation to better understand issues around sustainability and the urban environment

A feature of this project is the diverse and innovative methods in inviting girls to volunteer for the programme.   These include indirect methods such as, sports, camping, cultural tours; printing and disseminating educational brochures, books and newspapers; hosting exhibitions and an annual gathering of activists; creating a blog and using SMSs and social media to communicate with the students and trainers. Additionally, these communication methods and tools are reviewed annually to identify the most successful ones.

The lead agency for the project is the Mashhad City Council who fund most of the budget. The Education Ministry coordinates the programme which is rolled out in collaboration with the Education Services of the Khorasan Razavi Province, teachers and school principals, and parents and students.   

The project outcome benefits the community and positively impacts each student with increased self-esteem and confidence, development of leadership and social participation skills and knowledge of the local environment and urban sustainability issues and solutions.

The biggest challenge is minimal funding and, as the programme is in its infancy, it is dependent on support from city managers and the implementation team.

The city managers and city council members have come to conclude that investing resources and budget in programmes such as Girls Leadership is important for the future of the city.

Municipality of Mashhad

https://en.mashhad.ir/