Project Inspire Calls on Social Entrepreneurs for Solving Women Security & Safety Issues in Asia Pacific

For the sixth year running, Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard announce the launch of Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World. With over 2,100 ideas submitted from 109 countries around the world, Project Inspire is now a multi-award winning initiative and one of the most high profile CSR programs in the Asia Pacific region.

This year’s challenge has knowledge partner INSEAD: The Business School for the World and strategic partner Bain & Company. ‘Project Inspire: 5 minutes to change the world’ was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the 25th anniversary of MasterCard in Asia Pacific.  It is a global challenge that presents all 18-35 years old with a 5-minute platform to pitch their inspiring ideas to the world.

The Grand Prize is US$25,000 (approx Rs.16.5 lakhs) on offer to make their ideas a reality. Project Inspire 2016 asks social entrepreneurs around the world to submit their ideas to change the world for women and girls through safety and security.

Applicants are asked to demonstrate how they are empowering women and girls through safety and security across sectors such as health, financial inclusion, urban design, education and more throughout all of Asia and the Pacific.

“Thanks to the strong partnership with MasterCard, Project Inspire has directly supported 16 entrepreneurs from 9 countries around the world to positively impact thousands of lives. Project Inspire alumni have gone on to become politicians or leaders with significant influence and continue to create social impact.

It’s exciting to be able to provide this opportunity for another year and we really look forward welcoming the 2016 cohort of social entrepreneurs joining us,” says Trina Liang-Lin, President, Singapore Committee for UN Women.

Georgette Tan, Group Head, Communications, Asia Pacific, MasterCard, adds, “In many parts of the world, women’s safety and security is often overlooked. The latest MasterCard Index of Well-Being found that women in many emerging and developed markets across Asia feel particularly vulnerable to the threat of violent crime, which remains one of the most extreme manifestations of gender discrimination and inequality.”

Applicants will be submitting a five-minute video detailing how the grant will be used to improve the lives of women and/or girls.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better. Regards, The CSR Journal Team