MasterCard Supports World-Changing Ideas with UN Women for Project Inspire

MasterCard is once again sponsoring the UN's Project Inspire 2012: 5 Minutes to Change the World, following the success of last year's campaign. 

Joined by the Singapore National Committee for UN Women and academic partner INSEAD, Project Inspire offers 18-35 year-olds a 5-minute platform to pitch an idea and win a $25,000 grant supporting an existing women’s empowerment program in Asia/Pacific, the Middle East or Africa, helping women and girls sustain livelihood through entrepreneurship.

“We are delighted to launch the second edition of Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World. Last year we created this project hoping to inspire a handful of young people. The response from creative and dynamic youth from around the world was impressive. This year we hope to spark action from even more youth who truly want to make a difference in the lives of women and girls,” commented Georgette Tan, Group Head, Communications, Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

"The economic empowerment of women is key towards achieving gender equality. It is an area which the Singapore National Committee for UN Women has placed great importance in the past decade. With the focus of Project Inspire 2012 on social entrepreneurship, we look forward to innovative ideas from young changemakers around the globe that could amplify our work and mission in the region,” added Trina Liang-Lin, President, Singapore National Committee for UN Women.

Project Inspire 2011 received 450 video and written submissions from over 50 countries, and the winner was The Hapinoy Program, working to help women micro-entrepreneurs in Southern Luzon, Philippines.

In anticipation of 2012 International Women’s Day on March 8, MasterCard also will release its annual Index of Women’s Advancement (MIWA) tomorrow, March 2.

Once again in 2012, submissions can be a 5-minute video or 1-page written proposal. Find out more in the videos below: