The Nike Foundation in Beaverton, Oregon, has announced a new initiative to help improve the lives of adolescent girls in the developing world.

Working in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, the World Bank, the Population Council, and the International Center for Research on Women, the foundation will support projects that combine innovation with tested models that inspire and mobilize support for increased economic and social opportunities for girls. The work will complement the investments made by the company largely through NikeGo, a global program that uses sports and physical activity to bring positive change to young people.

"Research has shown time and time again the ripple effect of positive outcomes for girls and boys, communities, countries, and the world when girls and young women are provided access to education and other meaningful opportunities to participate more fully in life," said foundation president Maria Eitel. "If given the chance, girls will play a critical role in education future generations, improving economic conditions, and the state of the world's health, as well as protecting the natural resources."