QUEST TO EMPOWER WOMEN
TWENTY social enterprises promoting women’s safety in Asia Pacific have been shortlisted for crowdfunding under the multi-award winning social entrepreneurship challenge, Project Inspire.
The search for these organisations began earlier in the year as part of the sixth edition of Project Inspire, a global youth entrepreneurship challenge. This year, the organisers looked for groups that empower women and girls through safety and security. The theme comes at a time where women’s rights around the world are at a pivotal turning point.
Organisations working to improve safety and security for women and girls through economic participation, financial inclusion, increased access to health and sanitation, technology and through education programmes were among those that qualified for this year’s challenge.
Recently, the Singapore Committee for UN Women and Mastercard revealed the top 20 names selected from a pool of over 270 applications in the region.
They will progress to the semi-final stage and participate in an international crowdfunding campaign, courtesy of official Crowdfunding Partner Impact Guru.
GOOD CAUSES
The group with the project that garners the most number of backers for its crowdfunding campaign will secure a finalist spot and People’s Choice Award to pitch their ideas in Singapore.
The selected organisations include Little Sisters Fund Inc based in Nepal which has a project to support economically disadvantaged and marginalised girls and young women by offering scholarship schemes that will effectively delay child marriage.
Also in the list is Generation 414 based in Thailand with a project that aims to provide economic alternatives and leadership development, educational opportunities, an emergency shelter, rehabilitation, child care and basic necessities to national and international victims of trafficking and prostitution.
“We view digital platforms as a way to encourage social innovation, and crowdfunding draws potential supporters with a call to action that involves them in the success of the projects,” says Trina LiangLin, president of the Singapore Committee for UN Women.
Georgette Tan, senior vice president of communications Asia Pacific for Mastercard, adds that Mastercard too is committed to building safer and more inclusive communities for women and girls.
As a technology company it understands the value that digital platforms provide in amplifying ideas and driving support for social issues.
The 10 finalists will convene in Singapore for a week-long mentoring and workshop session, culminating in the grand finals on Nov 24, where they will pitch live to the public, supporting organisations and a panel of esteemed judges and industry experts.
Finalists stand a chance at taking home Mastercard’s Grand Prize of US$25,000 (RM104,425) and a Financial Inclusion Award of US$10,000 from Mazars and Mastercard.