Mentoring and social entrepreneurs
Luljeta Nuzi - A Legacy of Leadership Rooted in Love, Resilience and Purpose
At the heart of Shpresa Programme’s Leadership Project lies the enduring vision of our founder, Luljeta Nuzi—affectionately known as Luli—whose life embodied the true essence of community-led leadership.
Luli believed that leadership is not granted by title or education but earned through courage, compassion, and lived experience. Her own journey—from a young woman arriving in London as a refugee to becoming one of the UK’s most respected voices for migrant and refugee communities—is a powerful testament to this belief.
Born in Albania in 1971, Luli was raised with strong values of humility, strength, and service. These principles would later define her leadership. Upon arriving in the UK as a young mother, she faced immense challenges, including poverty, displacement, and uncertainty. Yet, instead of being defeated, Luli used those experiences as fuel to support others.
In 2002, she founded the Shpresa Programme—an organisation born out of love, necessity, and collective struggle. What began as a grassroots support network grew into a movement: one that championed the rights of Albanian-speaking migrants and later inspired hundreds of leaders across different communities to rise.
The Leadership Programme at Shpresa is grounded in the lessons Luli lived. Our model turns lived experience into leadership power. We turn dreams into reality, anger into justice, and problems into solutions – all through a process that nurtures confidence, deepens purpose, and uplifts the voices of those often unheard.
Luli’s journey was enriched by her faith, her friendships, and her fierce belief in people. She never saw herself as a hero, but she was one. She led not with authority, but with presence. Not with ego, but with empathy. Under her guidance, Shpresa earned national recognition, including the Queen’s Award for Volunteering, visits to Buckingham Palace, and countless other honours.
But Luli’s greatest legacy is not found in awards—it lives on in the hundreds of leaders who walk in her footsteps, who speak out for justice, and who now lead with the same clarity of heart that she did.
Today, every participant in the Leadership Programme carries her message forward:
“Never feel powerless. If no one is fighting for you, you fight for yourself. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition—as they somehow know what you truly want.”
Through this project, we don’t just remember Luli—we continue her movement.
A Huge Thank You To Our Current and Past Mentors
Every leader who takes part in our programme is paired with a carefully selected mentor. We are very privileged to have a vast network of experiences individuals and we are forever grateful for their contributions.
Our Lovely Leaders - 2025 Cohort
“Leadership is not about being the best. It’s about making others better because of your presence.”
Our Brilliant Guest Speakers
We have had the privilege of inviting guest speakers to share their areas of expertise with our 2025 Leaders Cohort!!
Members of Staff:
Power to Prosper – Summer Action Meet-Up
The power to prosper meet up held a meeting discussing critical issues the system faces and the need for change. Power to prosper is a specific programme focused on economic
Visiting the SSE Offices – Shpresa’s Third Cohort of the Leadership Programme
As a part of Shpresa’s Leadership Programme – The third cohort of Leaders were invited to The School for Social Entrepreneurs to meet Alastair – the CEO. This was an
Merita Avdyli – A Transformational Journey Through the Shpresa Leadership Programme
Merita Avdyli, the Founder of Successful Mothers CIC, embarked on a remarkable leadership journey as part of the first cohort of the Shpresa Leadership Programme. Passionate about empowering mothers to take control of their personal and professional lives, Merita leveraged the programme to enhance her leadership skills, expand her initiative, and create lasting community impact.
Leadership: It Starts With Us
Leadership is choosing to care, when it would be easier to look away.
It’s raising your voice, even if it shakes. It is believing in change and then becoming the one who makes it happen.
You don’t need to be perfect to lead. You just need to start.
So be the one who starts. Start where you are.
Because someone out there is waiting for a leader just like you.
Shpresa Programme Leadership A Journey of Legacy and Empowerment
Shpresa Programme has always been a place of hope, a home for the community, and empowerment machine for individuals, particularly those who are facing the many challenges that come with migration.