We believe girls have the vision and enterprise to drive the solutions that affect them most. At the Billion Girls CoLab, we create the space for girls to imagine a radically different future for themselves, then catalyze a network of actors to bring it to life. By bringing together unlikely collaborators—and by inviting girls to drive the process—we can design products and services that consider every facet of their lives.
Since 2013, IDEO.org has partnered with leading organizations to design solutions that leverage human-centered design to promote reproductive health choice for girls. While we’ve made progress in delivering information, improving access, and even shifting social norms, we’ve missed opportunities to let girls truly define agendas and lead programming. Last year, we launched the Billion Girls CoLab to fundamentally shift the power to girls.
Our approach is underpinned by three core beliefs:
We’re looking for partners to join us in revolutionizing the way philanthropy, global development, and design work with and for girls.
Supported by The Case for Her, William + Flora Hewlett Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation in our first year, we have tested our hypothesis around how the CoLab model can advance adolescent girl health. Through the Hard Problems Workshop, a Makeathon, and a virtual design sprint, we have learned the role of play making, collaboration, and grassroots efforts in shifting power to girls. For more information email Larrissa Bachia at larrissa@ideo.org or visit the Billion Girls website below.
