The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), a Pakistani organization dedicated to assisting poor and rural communities in Pakistan, and Citi Foundation, a philanthropic outreach arm of Citigroup, announced they will hold for the third consecutive year an awards program dedicated to micro-entrepreneurship. The program, “Citi-PPAF Microentrepreneurship Awards Programme 2007,” will recognize the efforts made by micro-entrepreneurs to improve the quality of life for their families and their communities. It is designed to demonstrate the impact of microfinance on micro-entrepreneurs and poverty reduction.
Awards will be presented in each of the following categories:
- Best National Micro-entrepreneur Male
- Best National Micro-entrepreneur Female
- And four Best Provincial Micro-entrepreneurs
Each category will have one runner-up. In addition, special recognition awards will be given to loan officers and representatives of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The awards ceremony is slated for October 2007 in Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad.
The Social Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC) at the Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan will screen applications submitted by participating MFIs under the above categories. After initial screening, selected applications will be submitted to members of an advisory panel for a final interview of candidates to pick winners/runners-up.
The Microentrepreneurship Awards Program in Pakistan has been held annually since 2004. The program’s objective is to make aware the effectiveness of microfinance as a tool in fighting poverty while also encouraging micro-entrepreneurs to succeed. PPAF has co-hosted the program since 2005. PPAF, sponsored by the Pakistani government with funding from the World Bank, has fund resources in excess of USD 826 million.
The Citi Foundation sponsors Microentrepreneurship Awards in 23 countries, including: Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Uganda and Venezuela. MFIs nominate clients who have shown dedication to loan repayment, business growth, employment growth and a positive impact on their community. Micro-entrepreneurs cannot nominate themselves and all nominations must come directly from a participating MFI. Please contact Citi Foundation via their website http://citimicroawards.com/contact.php for more information.
-Steven Craig
Additional Resources:
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF): http://www.ppaf.org.pk/
Social Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC): http://sedc.org.pk/portal/index.php
Citi Foundation: http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/corporate/foundation/
Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS): http://www.lums.edu.pk/
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