Explore Central Leadership in Action Projects for 2025!

Dear Scholars,
If you’re unsure how to approach building your own Leadership in Action project from scratch or haven’t found an opportunity that suits your interests, keep reading! The Laidlaw Foundation has partnered with FIVE different organisations to create Leadership in Action opportunities for Laidlaw Scholars. We call these Central LiA Projects.
Below is a list of Central LiA projects offered to all universities for 2025. Each project has a specific application process. Click 'Find Out More' under the project you are interested in to view the separate room all about the project where you can find out further particulars and a link to the application form for that partner organisation.
Each organisation is very different, in different cultural settings and they take different approaches to working with Laidlaw Scholars. Be sure to research the options thoroughly, consider what might be a good fit for you, and come along to our “Meet our LiA Central Project Partners” to ask your questions.
Please note that you may only apply for ONE PROJECT at a time (and if successful, there is an expectation that you will take up your place on that project).
Key Dates:
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Thursday 3rd October: Central Project Applications open!
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Thursday 17th October: 6 pm – 7 pm GMT (UK) Meet our LiA Central Projects Partners and Scholars (sign up here!)
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Thursday 14th November: Central Project Applications Close
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October-early December: Selection and Admissions
Contents:make_senseThe Kasiisi ProjectSwaraThe Timothy Smith NetworkSOS-Kinderdorf |
For 10 years, make_sense has been creating tools and programs for collective mobilization to enable everyone to take action and build an inclusive and sustainable society.
Develop your leadership skills and become a community mobilizer while building concrete actions to tackle social and environmental challenges in Mexico, Colombia and France!
- Project 1 - Climate change and its social impact – Mexico
- Project 2 - Gender Violence – Mexico
- Project 3- Peace and Social Resilience – Colombia
- Project 4 – Aging Well – France
- Project 5 - Preserving Sea Biodiversity – France
Dates of Programme: July 6 to August 15 2025
How many places are available? 36
Locations:
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Mexico: 18 scholars
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Colombia: 12 scholars
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France: 6 scholars
Find Out More 👉 : Visit the make_sense LSN room!
👉 APPLY NOW 👈
Kasiisi Project was founded in 1997 as an extension of the Kibale Chimpanzee Project and aims to improve educational opportunities for children residing along the densely populated western border of Kibale. Initially focused on improving the infrastructure of existing schools, the effort quickly transitioned into comprehensive support, ensuring schools could provide the highest quality education for their students. Kasiisi Project focuses on three strategic programs–Education, Health, and Conservation–to strengthen schools and create a new generation of Ugandan conservationists. This work now benefits 16 primary schools and 9,000 children (aged 4-14) and their communities annually.
- Project 1: School and Village Health
- Project 2: Conservation Education
Dates of Programme: TBC
How many places are available? 12
Location: Uganda
Find Out More 👉 : Visit The Kasiisi Project LSN Room
👉 APPLY NOW 👈
Project: CraftHER
Summary: Swara is on a mission to bring Indian mysticism to the world through ethical fashion—and we’re inviting you to be part of this journey!
Welcome to CraftER 2025, a unique opportunity for Laidlaw Scholars to contribute to a growing social enterprise that brings handcrafted art and products from rural Kerala to the global market. CraftER 2025 is more than just business--it's about building a connection between rural women artisans and the world, empowering them while making a meaningful impact on the ethical fashion and lifestyle industries. As part of CraftER 2025, you'll work directly with women from various craft clusters, gaining the chance to make a lasting difference in their lives.
Dates of Programme: TBC
How many places are available? 12
Location: Kerala, India
👉 APPLY NOW 👈
The Timothy Smith Fund was established on March 8, 1996, by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the City of Boston to bring the benefits of computer technology to underserved communities. The Timothy Smith Network (TSN) continues to be committed to supporting the creation of an inclusive technology workforce by providing demographics that are underrepresented in technology with the tools necessary to compete for careers in 21st-century tech-focused industries.
In 2018, TSN launched the Boston Design Academy (BDA) in partnership with the City of Boston, Microsoft, Boston Public Library, and Boston Public Schools (BPS) to provide BPS high school students with the opportunity to explore potential career pathways through project-based learning and collaborations with the institutions, companies and individuals that drive Boston’s innovation ecosystem.
- Project 1 – Tech Your Health
- Project 2 – Digital Design Intensive
- Project 3 - Management and Program Support
Dates of programme: 30th June 2025 and 17th August 2025
Number of places available: 7
Location: Boston, USA
Find Out More 👉: https://laidlawscholars.network/rooms/timothy-smith-network
👉 APPLY NOW 👈

SOS-Kinderdorf
SOS Children’s Villages have been protecting children in need for more than 70 years. We strengthen vulnerable families so that their children can grow up in a stable, caring environment – and give children without parental care a loving home.
The SOS team are currently determining the proposed project and location for 2025, but to gain some understanding of what’s possible, take a look at Laidlaw Scholar reflections from 2024 who participated in this LiA Central Project in Nepal.
Project 1: TBC
Dates of Programme: TBC
Number of spots available: TBC
Location: TBC
Find Out More 👉: Visit The SOS-Kinderdorf LSN Room
More details about how to apply will be made available soon!
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