Unlocking Women's potential with Launch Girls

Projet Jeune Leader (PJL) is teaming up with Launch Girls to empower our young PJL women Educators. Here’s a quick overview of the Girl Boss Basics training in Antsirabe!

When we think of training, we often picture endless sessions of complex theories, slides that go on forever, and monologues that seem to never end. But imagine something different: a 360° experience where participation and interaction take center stage. Picture a training full of hands-on exercises and lively discussions, all in a fun, judgment-free environment. That’s exactly what we experienced recently during the Launch Girls' Boss Basics training for our PJL women Educators.

PJL Educators during the Launch Girls training with Lalaina and Mandy.

Let me give you some context!

First, some background! In 2023, Projet Jeune Leader had the chance to connect with an American organization called Launch Girls. Launch Girls offers various training programs for girls and young women around the world. After productive discussions, Projet Jeune Leader decided to introduce Launch Girl’s “Boss Basics” training module for our women Educators. The goal of this module is to develop an entrepreneurial mindset in the participants, helping them become the “CEO of themselves” by combining personal growth with professional development.

Projet Jeune Leader has always emphasized the importance of intergenerational accountability, where young adults pass on life skills to younger generations. Our Educators also receive ongoing capacity-building under the “PJL Educators Professional Pathway.” And this time, we’re focusing on PJL young women Educators!

Before delivering this training, I went through a "train the trainer" program with Launch Girls. This gave me the confidence to take on the role of “Boss Advisor” and main point of contact between the two organizations. With Amandine Nolan (aka Mandy), our Operations Lead, we created an interactive and engaging program for the participants.

The training was not limited to just one area. It took a holistic approach, covering all the key aspects of becoming a successful leader. It was broken down into 10 levels, each addressing a key theme to help build a strong entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills: personal value proposition, design thinking, life operation planning, financial management, personal branding, and personal pitch.

We divided the training into two distinct phases. The first session, held from December 18-22, 2024, focused on personal development, while the second, from February 22-27, 2025, covered the practical aspects of professional preparation. Each level offered participants the chance to grow both personally and professionally.

Now, I’ll share some of the highlights of the training!

We’re stepping out of our comfort zone!

It’s essential to understand who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are and how to keep improving throughout our lives. The first five topics of the training focused on that!

During a moment of self-reflection, some participants were surprised to realize that their self-image was often clouded by doubts, while those around them saw strengths they didn’t even recognize in themselves. Everybody was sharing their experiences and the room was filling with laughs. The word “SWOT” (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) took on real meaning here. Each letter became a tool for setting goals, dreaming big, and most importantly, building resilience. The participants learned to turn their weaknesses into growth opportunities, and it was a game-changer: these girls are capable of anything!

“I realized it’s so important to set life goals to move forward. It’s like mapping out the road to our dreams!” - Judite, PJL Educator

When we got to the financial management topic, we didn’t just talk about money! Many had a complicated relationship with money: fear, frustration, but also hope. We explored the basics of financial management in a simple and hands-on way: how to set financial goals, create a budget, and learn how to save and invest safely. No complicated jargon, just practical advice to make a real difference in how they manage their money day-to-day. You could feel the excitement when some realized they could actually start saving for their future projects! The conversations that followed showed how much they had learned: “I can do this” became a mantra for many.

At the end of each session, the participants read motivating affirmations aloud, ones they could carry with them for life. Here’s an example of an affirmation:

“I will be a Girl Boss – I will have an entrepreneurial mindset, and I know I can succeed!

Final clap!

The last day of training was filled with adrenaline, highlighted by a pitch ceremony and diploma presentation! As facilitators, Mandy and I felt as nervous as the participants. We had guided them through the entire training, which was now coming to an end!

Who hasn’t been nervous about public speaking? The fear of being judged, the worry about how others see you, or even the fear of running out of ideas… but thanks to practical exercises, everyone was able to overcome those fears. Step by step, the participants built their confidence, discovered their core values, and learned how to look ahead with assurance. They presented their speeches to a supportive audience made up of some members from Projet Jeune Leader’s staff.

Each session was unique, but they all had one thing in common: they were all about sharing and learning from one another. The girls not only gained new skills and concepts, but they also shared their experiences, ideas, and thoughts, fostering a strong sense of community and mutual support. This collective strength will help them with their future projects, and that’s without a doubt the greatest gift they take away (and we do too!).

The Boss Basics training by Launch Girls was a fantastic experience for PJL Educators! It helped them build their skills and entrepreneurial mindset, boosted their self-confidence, and gave them the motivation to pursue their dreams and ambitions.

Until the next cohort!

The success of this training was the result of a true team effort. We’d like to thank Launch Girls for their support and collaboration. We’re excited to continue working with them in the future.

A big thanks to our women Educators, for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the training, and to the Projet Jeune Leader  team who made all of this possible! This training experience was rewarding for everyone involved, myself included. It was a chance to learn, grow, and inspire each other. I’m proud to be part of this project, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for these girls.

They are the future! With the skills and confidence they’ve gained, I’m confident they have the potential to achieve amazing things.