Karnataka govt partners with NGOs, BT group to empower girls by sports and sustainability initiatives

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with the not-for-profit trust Going to School and BT Group, organised Match Day 2024 in Bengaluru on Friday, March 1.

Media reports indicate that over 500 girls from government schools participated in the event, celebrating the impact of sports and acquiring life skills to address climate change.

Under the partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two stakeholders to establish the Outdoor School for Girls in 25 government schools in Bengaluru, catering to Classes V to X.

The program aims to provide comprehensive education, including football training, exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) courses, and the development of sustainable entrepreneurial and digital skills.

Launched not only in Bengaluru but also in Mumbai, Goa, and Raichur, this initiative aims to empower 2.7 million girls to tackle unemployment and promote sustainability.

Lisa Heydlauff, CEO of Going to School, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of this initiative within the Indian government education system.

Girls are not only engaging in football but also learning integrated skills to address climate change, with a focus on retaining them in school and facilitating their transition to sustainable enterprises post-education.

Further more, the group operates Experiential Business School Crash Courses for young women aged 18 and above.

These courses impart sustainable enterprise skills on-site, enabling participants to explore businesses addressing climate change.

Upon completion, they have the opportunity to research such businesses and pitch for seed capital grants from Deutsche Bank.