The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative (APVVI) is one of the coolest and most important things I’ve come across lately. In case you haven’t heard of it, APVVI is a partnership between ANN INC. and the Vital Voices Global Partnership, an organization that trains and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe. The APVVI aims to provide leadership skills and mentorship to 50 ANNpower fellows annually, and is designed to positively impact more than 5,500 people in their collective communities and around the world each year.

Today, the APVVI announced that it’s launching its fourth annual search in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada for the next generation of women leaders. In a press release, the APVVI said that through March 8, girls who are high school sophomores and juniors can apply at ANNpower.org to become an ANNpower fellow and receive leadership training and mentorship by global women leaders.

“I think everyone knows a girl who has the potential to change the world,” said Kay Krill, president and CEO of ANN INC., in the release. “We want to invest in their ability to affect global progress by giving them the power to transform their communities and become leaders.”

Fifty new ANNpower fellows will be selected from a competitive application process to participate in the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., June 14 – 17. At the forum, the fellows will meet and learn from influential women leaders in business, politics and media, as well as executives from ANN INC., including Krill. The curriculum equips young women with the skills they need to realize their full potential as future leaders.

After the forum, the fellows will be challenged to put their training into action by developing projects that address societal issues and applying for ANNpower grants to implement their ideas. To date, the initiative has trained 150 girls, distributed more than $80,000 in grant funding, and positively impacted more than 16,000 people in 12 countries around the world.

“Being an ANNpower fellow has connected me with global women leaders I could have only dreamed of meeting, never mind having them as a sound board for my own ideas,” said Elanie, a 2014 ANNpower fellow and grantee, in the press release. “The mentorship I’ve received through this program has enhanced my confidence and leadership skills. The best part is connecting with other girls from across the country who have a passion to change the world like me.”

While the ANNpower fellows and grantees certainly learn a great deal from the women leaders they meet, it’s perhaps the leaders in attendance who receive the biggest gains. In fact, after attending the third annual forum last summer, Krill explained how much she gained from the young women in attendance.

“What all of these girls have in common is a bold idea and the courage to take action,” Krill wrote. “I think that’s something we can all learn from no matter where we are in life or career  to continue to take small steps and gesture in the direction of your dreams. These girls are fearless in addressing the change they want to see in the world and ready to contribute to making it happen.”