Innovate the Future Program
HerStart’s Innovate the Future program propels sustainable economic development, entrepreneurship and social impact for women and their communities in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.
Advancing gender equality and social impact through entrepreneurship
Driven by the power of global partners and passionate Canadian fellowship volunteers, the program puts the power of knowledge sharing into action so women can turn their business dreams into reality. Here's how HerStart’s program builds a more equitable and sustainable future that works for everyone:
- Training young women in foundational entrepreneurship skills, financial management, personal leadership and social impact.
- Incubating social enterprises to support growth and resilience including business development services, coaching and leadership training for entrepreneurs.
- Investing through the HerStart Catalyst Fund to provide seed funding and business mentorship and help launch or scale businesses with measurable positive community impact.
- Developing ecosystems and a network of resources to support social entrepreneurs beyond the life of the program.

Program elements that empower women
Training women entrepreneurs
Over the course of the program, young people in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda participate in 3 levels of responsive social enterprise training and incubation.
Sparking Social Innovation Level 2:
Seed your Social Venture Level 3:
Grow your Social Venture
Sparking Social Innovation
Designed for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs, this training teaches the building blocks of social entrepreneurship, including how to create and measure social and environmental impact.
Seed your Social Venture
Grow your Social Venture
Funding social enterprises for women
Youth in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda that participate in HerStart’s social entrepreneurship training are eligible for seed funding and business mentorship through the HerStart Catalyst Fund. The Fund helps kickstart businesses as they scale up and boosts their ability to drive a more equal, climate-resilient and inclusive economy.
100% of contributions go towards accelerating youth-led social enterprises.


Connecting women entrepreneurs with skilled Canadians
We invite experienced Canadians to put their skills into practice to create a more sustainable and equitable economy through HerStart’s international fellowships. Fellows take part in volunteer abroad placements where they connect with inspiring young people and global partners to build knowledge in many areas including gender equality, climate action, business development and more.
We’re looking for Canadians just like you...
Innovate the Future meets the Sustainable Development Goals
At the center of HerStart’s Innovate the Future program are 3 pillars that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, reflecting pressing issues that require resources and action.
Young women are at the centre of HerStart. We listen to their current realities, build opportunities and enabling environments that reshape gender norms, improve access to resources and promote leadership for gender-equal solutions.
Here's how you can join us
Our Partners
Global collaborators
HerStart Innovate the Future program partners are champions for young women and social innovation in their countries. Through joint implementation, these collaborators enhance their gender transformative and environmentally sustainable programming.
Delivery and design partners
YCI partners with some of the world’s leaders in social enterprise training, monitoring and evaluation, climate action, and tech innovation to support the design and execution of HerStart’s Innovate the Future program and incubation resources.
Funding Partners
YCI’s HerStart Innovate the Future and International Fellowship programs are funded through the Government of Canada’s Volunteer Cooperation Program, providing skilled Canadians opportunities to volunteer abroad with global partners and advance Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
