25 November 2024: Milaan Foundation’s Girl Icon Program has been officially recognized as part of the HundrED Global Collection 2025 during a ceremony held at Helsinki City Hall, Finland on November 14, 2024. The program was celebrated as one of the top 100 education innovations worldwide, chosen for its transformational impact and potential to scale.
The award was presented during the HundrED Innovation Summit, an annual gathering of global changemakers in education. The event provided a unique opportunity to share the story of the Girl Icon Program on an international platform and connect with leaders and innovators dedicated to reimagining education for a better future.
“This recognition isn’t just an award. It’s a testament to the hard work, determination, and vision of the Milaan team and our commitment to empowering adolescent girls to lead change in their communities. For years, the Girl Icon Program has empowered adolescent girls with life skills, leadership abilities, and the courage to challenge norms and shape their futures. This is a movement that is changing lives, families, and communities.” – Rati Misra, Executive Director.
“The Girl Icon Program in changing lives and empowering communities. This honor reaffirms the importance of investing in young girls as changemakers, equipping them to challenge societal norms, lead with confidence, and drive meaningful, lasting change toward a more inclusive and equitable future.” – Dhirendra Pratap Singh, Co-founder & CEO
The Girl Icon Program has impacted about 100,000 adolescent girls and 1 Million more of their community members across India. The program equips adolescent girls from low-income communities with tools to lead change in their communities through education, mentorship, and leadership training. This recognition by HundrED further amplifies the program’s mission to ensure every girl has access to quality education and the confidence and opportunities to achieve her potential to thrive.
The Milaan team expresses its gratitude to HundrED and all those who have supported their journey. The recognition marks a new chapter as the organization continues to expand its reach and impact globally.