Project Compass: A Social Enterprise Learning Program Empowering 11,500 Girl Guides

This is a news article from the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) announcing Project Compass, a social enterprise learning program launched by Girl Guides Australia (GGA) and the Carla Zampatti Foundation on International Women's Day, 8 March 2026. The program was developed with ACRE, as GGA's National Social Enterprise Curriculum Partner, and the Social Enterprise Academy.

The article explains that Project Compass gives around 11,500 girls aged 8 to 17, supported by 4,700 volunteers, the chance to learn business basics and run their own social enterprise, a business that puts people and the planet ahead of profit. It sets out the program's ten-stage structure, covering skills such as identifying market gaps, market research, budgeting, prototyping and pitching, delivered through video and online resources on the Girl Guides Learning platform. Girls keep enough revenue to cover their costs, donate half to a cause of their choice, and return the remainder to their Guide unit, or alternatively build a venture directly focused on girls, community or environmental impact.

The article also points to research GGA conducted with girls aged 12 to 17, which found strong interest in leadership and independence, alongside continued perceptions that gender affects job opportunities. It positions Project Compass as building transferable skills in leadership, critical thinking, career capability, global citizenship and entrepreneurship, and includes background on ACRE's decade of work delivering its Social Enterprise Schools program.

This article speaks to educators, youth program coordinators and social enterprise practitioners interested in how entrepreneurship education can be delivered to young people at scale.