Project Fearless

We’re so proud of how our community grew in 2024, across Rotterdam and Amsterdam. 

From those first 30 girls in 2019, we’ve now welcomed over 2040 girls, kids and women to our programs. 

None of this would be possible without the dedication and love of our team, and incredible support from our community and Fearless friends. 

So as you head through this year and everything it’ll bring you, keep that innovation mindset: fail early, fail often, stay Fearless. 

Launching Rethink Fashion with Gemeente Rotterdam 

In autumn, 11 kids joined us to learn how to use a sewing machine to make bags and bucket hats from scrap fabrics. The kids made new friends from the neighbourhood and bonded over helping each other out, and our Coaches were awesome role models for them — they rocked up to the course wearing their own creations, which our Fearlessers loved. We launched a second free season of Rethink Fashion in winter ‘24, for kids to learn how to make upcycled sweaters or hoodies

Getting bold in Rotterdam 

In winter, we ran our first Bouldering event for the city in collab with Boulder Rotterdam. And it was truly Fearless — just look at those climbs and smiles! None of the girls who joined us had ever been to a climbing wall before, but after just a few minutes they were reaching the top like pros.

Junior Coaches

We renamed our program for teens this year, from Role Models to Junior Coaches. After talking to our teen volunteers and adult Coaches, we realised the program needed a fresh, simpler name that made it clear where the teens sit in our Fearless coaching ecosystem. 

Special shout-out to the two Junior Coaches on our autumn ‘24 Bouldering program:
They added valuable impact to the course experience not just for the Fearless kids but for our Head and Assistant Coaches, too. And when we asked for feedback about their way of working, this coaching crew was super committed to their productive, tight-knit teamwork. 

Our Junior Coaches program gives girls and kids aged 14-17 the chance to volunteer and coach our younger Fearless girls, to build their skills and confidence, develop their leadership style and create meaningful connections.

Launching our Youth Advisory Board

In April 2024, 10 Fearless kids and Junior Coaches aged 10-15 joined us to share their feedback and feelings on Project Fearless, so we can shape its future together. Our Junior Coaches said they love being part of an empowering, women-led organisation that’s being built for and with them. 

“I’m so impressed by the amount of powerful women I’ve met by being a part of Project Fearless. And I'm so grateful for the experience to meet these women who have helped me and are role models for many aspects of my life and want to help me with my future.”

— Fearless Junior Coach 

“It makes me feel good about the fact that I am helping and inspiring young girls.”

— Fearless Junior Coach 

Positive leadership skills

After finishing our 2024 courses, Fearless kids said they were more likely to share their ideas and be problem-solvers in a group setting. They also rated their honesty and listening skills higher, and were less likely to think of themselves as followers. 

Self-confidence & self-expression

Over the summer 2024 season, we talked to our Fearlessers about leaning into the unknown, resilience and learning together. 

After the 8 weeks, the kids’ confidence had grown: 100% said they felt confident at least sometimes — meaning none were never or rarely confident!

And 55% of kids said they never or rarely found it difficult to express their feelings to others (a 7% increase since the start of the season).

A place to be myself 

Project Fearless is, above all, a place that accepts girls and kids just as they are, so they can find their voice, their way. 

In 2024, 97% of kids said that Project Fearless was a place where they could be themselves (with 85% saying they felt like this always or often).

"I love Project Fearless becuase the positive community and encouragement and support. Its always fun!" -Fearless girl

"Im so happy to be part of this group. We have become so close, Monday evenings is OUR time. I used to know these women only a little bit, seen them around the neighborhood but then a month ago I was dropping my child off at school and one of the mothers comes up to me and said "you need to join us at kickboxing!" and I though "Me?! But Ive never done that" but she encouraged me to come saying it was all mothers. And im so glad. Now we are super close and really encourage each other to show up every week. We love it!" -Mother of a PF girl, who also participates in our kickboxing course for women

"Acting as a Junior Coach meant that I had to act as a bridge between the kids and the coaches. When handling the children it was important to collaborate effectively with the coaches, especially on the days when the kids were low energy or restless. It was important for us to think of a way to keep them engaged and active throughout. Collaborating with the kids in smaller groups and the group as a whole was also necessary to engage and push them to remain active and be the best version of themselves. Especially in the beginning where everyone was new to one another, it was important to communicate and build trust between me and the kids, ensuring that they feel comfortable at Run Club“ -Jr. Coach

Links:

• 2024 Impact Report