Six solar-powered support hubs awarded for improving parental wellbeing in Africa

LONDON, Sept. 3, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Six innovative solar-powered support hubs have been awarded €200,000 each as part of the €2.6 million Good Start Challenge, aimed at improving parental wellbeing in underserved communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative, launched by the Van Leer Foundation and supported by FEMSA, Fundaçāo Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal, and the LEGO Foundation, has recognized the critical need for support during the challenging period of becoming a parent.

EKISIL CBO, a community-based organization in Ethiopia, developed one of the winning hubs. These hubs are designed as community-owned spaces that offer integrated support for displaced mothers and their young children. The hubs provide a range of services including parenting support, health screenings for children, trauma counseling, and digital learning resources. According to Tarek Alami, Vice President and Head of International Programmes at the LEGO Foundation, the initiative supports locally rooted solutions for displaced and refugee families, aligning with the strengths of the region's ecosystems.

Another winner, Heights and Minds, in collaboration with Atou Nutrition in Senegal, created MindUp Tawfekh Keur Jaboot, a community-led hub where children can learn and play while parents access health checks, nutrition advice, and tailored support. The hub also offers affordable childcare options, addressing the dual challenges of childcare and parental health.

The third winning team, StrongMinds, based in northern Uganda, provides group therapy for refugees, including parents of young children. Trained community volunteers, many of whom are refugees themselves, facilitate free, six-week talk therapy sessions in Dinka and Arabic, helping to scale depression treatment in the region.

The Good Start Challenge, which received over 1,000 entries, demonstrates the global recognition of the gap in support for parents and the innovative ideas being developed to address this issue. Rushda Majeed, Chief Programme Officer at the Van Leer Foundation, stated, "Today we celebrate what has been achieved as a major milestone in our ongoing mission to ensure that not only children, but parents everywhere have a good start too."

The awardees will now be connected with partners to continue their scaling journey, aiming to expand their reach and impact across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Good Start Challenge, designed and delivered by Challenge Works, has set a precedent for addressing the complex needs of parents in underserved communities.