Celebrating the 2026 Collaborative Initiative Award Recipients

The Power of Collaboration

At World Pulse, we know that lasting change rarely happens alone. Across our global community, women are sharing knowledge, combining strengths, and building solutions that strengthen their communities.

Today, we are honored to celebrate the recipients of the 2026 Collaborative Initiative Awards. These three pairs of World Pulse changemakers are tackling challenges ranging from rural land rights and family planning to intergenerational care, demonstrating what becomes possible when women lead together across communities, generations, and borders.

Their work reflects the heart of the World Pulse community: collaboration rooted in trust, shared purpose, and a commitment to creating lasting change.

Meet the 2026 Collaborative Initiative Award Recipients

Supporting Intergenerational Care in Nigeria

SHE’n’More and GreatGold are partnering on Elderly Women Raising Teenage Girls, an initiative supporting elderly caregivers and the teenage girls in their care.

In semi-urban communities across Nigeria, many elderly women are raising teenage girls while also facing educational, emotional, and economic strain. Their caregiving role is essential, yet often overlooked.

Through this initiative, SHE’n’More and GreatGold are strengthening an intergenerational model of care that supports both senior caregivers and the girls who depend on them. Their project will provide school support and mentorship for girls, practical assistance for caregivers, safe spaces for guidance and encouragement, and stronger community support systems for vulnerable households.

The initiative aims to reach an estimated 60 people, offering a compassionate, community-based response to a caregiving reality that deserves more recognition and support.

"This award affirms the strength of working across states and organizations toward one shared goal. It tells us that the bond between SHE'n'More and me, built on trust and a common vision, is worth celebrating. We hope this support helps elderly mothers in our communities stand on firmer ground through livelihood skills and mentorship, so the teenage girls who depend on them can grow up with more safety, stability, and hope." — Gold Firstman (Great Gold)

"This award reminds me that when we faithfully serve others, God opens doors beyond our imagination. This support will make it possible to reach underserved members of our community with life-changing skills, mentorship, and opportunities. Together, we can empower more individuals to become self-reliant, reduce poverty, and inspire positive change that extends from one family to the next." — Akeju Yetunde (SHE’n’More)

Defending Rural Women's Land Rights in Madagascar

Mamisoa and Harena are teaming up on Defending Rural Women's Land Rights, an initiative protecting women’s land rights and strengthening rural livelihoods in Madagascar.

In Isahafa, Anosy Avaratra, Madagascar, women who have cultivated the land for generations now face growing threats of land grabbing, weak legal protections, and the loss of their livelihoods.

This initiative defends rural women’s land rights while strengthening their ability to protect and sustain their livelihoods. The project includes legal training and support, documentation of women’s stories through journalism, training on land rights and collective protection strategies, seeds and agricultural support to keep land in active use, and peaceful community action for accountability and visibility.

Mamisoa and Harena’s initiative aims to support an estimated 50 women. By combining legal empowerment, storytelling, and sustainable livelihoods, Mamisoa and Harena are working to protect women’s rights and strengthen community resilience in a region facing systemic land dispossession.

"This award is very important to me. It represents recognition of the work I have been doing, and it motivates me to continue creating opportunities for our community and to expand the impact of my project. I believe this support will help women in our community gain knowledge about land ownership and its use — enabling them to better cultivate and care for the land they have lived on for decades, strengthen their livelihoods, and raise awareness about land grabbing in our country." — Mamisoa Isabella Raveloaritiana

"This award is a meaningful recognition of the power of collaboration and community-led action. It strengthens our commitment to working together to address local challenges and amplify the voices of those most affected. We hope this support will help us expand our impact, build stronger connections within our community, and create sustainable opportunities for learning, participation, and positive change." — Harentsoa Rakotoson (Harena)

Advancing Community-Led Family Planning in Kenya and Cameroon

Kristine and Honorine are working together on Community-Led Family Planning, an initiative expanding access to family planning education and services in Kenya and Cameroon.

In Shinyalu Sub-County, Kenya, and in Northwest Cameroon, women face stigma, misinformation, and limited access to healthcare when making decisions about their reproductive health.

Through this initiative, Kristine Yakhama and Honorine Ngenwi are expanding access to family planning education and services through community education workshops, mobile outreach clinics in remote and conflict-affected areas, and dialogue sessions with men, community leaders, and influencers. Their approach recognizes that lasting change requires accurate information, trusted services, and broader community support for women’s reproductive choices.

The two women leaders aim to reach an estimated 480 women and girls across their communities. Their work responds to a critical health and equity need through practical service delivery, education, and community-led action.

"This award is a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to advancing community-led family planning and centering the voices of women most affected. It strengthens our collaboration and deepens our resolve to turn lived experiences into practical, life-changing solutions. With this support, we look forward to expanding our reach, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring more women and families access informed, dignified, and person-centered care." — Kristine Yakhama

"Receiving this award is not just an honor — it's a confirmation that our girls are being seen, that their stories matter, and that change is possible. This award isn't just mine. It belongs to every girl who has ever asked, 'What about me?' Because of this support, our work will go further, our message will grow louder, and more girls will know their body, their choice, and their future — and know that they are in control." — Honorine Ngenwi

About the Collaborative Initiative Awards

The Collaborative Initiative Awards were created through the generosity of a dedicated donor, Rebellious Dreamers, who believes in supporting women who work together toward a shared vision.

Earlier this year, eligible World Pulse members holding specific leadership badges were invited to submit collaborative initiatives designed and led by two members in partnership. The opportunity was open to members with Power Encourager, Featured Storyteller, Featured Changemaker, and Digital Ambassador badges.

This year's awards drew 26 submissions and updates, representing roughly 22 unique collaborative initiatives led by changemakers across Africa and Asia.

The initiatives reflected the diversity, care, and creativity of the World Pulse community. These women leaders proposed projects across a variety of topics, ranging from focused on women's health and education to economic empowerment, land rights, mentorship, community development, and support for vulnerable populations.

Each submission was reviewed based on impact and reach, strength of collaboration, innovation and relevance, feasibility, equity and representation. World Pulse leaders from the Powershift Inclusive Excellence (PIE) group shortlisted ten submissions, and Rebellious Dreamers selected the final award recipients.

Originally, Rebellious Dreamers planned to award two projects. This year, they were so inspired by the exceptional quality of initiatives that they ultimately awarded three pairs. Each pair will receive a USD $1,250 honorarium to support their work as well as promotion on World Pulse channels.

Looking Ahead

Each awarded pair will receive funding to advance their initiative in the months ahead. They will document their progress on World Pulse by sharing story-based updates and mapping their reach on the Impact Dashboard throughout the reporting period, which runs until May 31, 2027.

Follow their journeys, support their work, and learn from these inspiring collaborations as they continue creating change in their communities.

Start an Initiative of Your Own

The Collaborative Initiative Awards show what becomes possible when World Pulse members work together.

If you are working on a project of your own, or if you have an idea you would like to build with another member, document it on World Pulse. While this particular opportunity has closed, World Pulse members can share their initiatives at any time and become eligible for our monthly Initiative Awards, which provide selected changemakers with a USD $300 honorarium to support their efforts.

Start your initiative today. Learn how to share your initiative on World Pulse and become eligible for Featured Initiative Awards.