Goals

1. To raise $10000 in funds to start the Micropeace Finance initiative in summer 2009. 2. To empower five Palestinian entrepreneurs, primarily women, in the summer of 2009 to transform their lives by providing them with micro-flexible loans of $2000 and continuous training and counseling. 3. To partner with the College of Business in Birzeit University in Ramallah by enrolling 10 students and 1 faculty member 'mentor' in the initiative. Each two students will be in charge of assisting 1 entrepreneur throughout the first year of her business operations so she can repay the entire loan of $2000 back within that period of time. This is made to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the project, and to inspire the Palestinian youth and young professionals in universities to be more active and involved. The nature of this initiative makes it financially viable, as the money in loans is returned each fiscal year. This means that the initiative will be self sustainable to say the least. Yet our goal is to expand this initiative both in terms of numbers of students and families, and in terms of funds. For that we recognize that the first year 'cycle' is critical for the long term success of the initiative.

Plan

The most crucial part in preparation for such initiative lies in fundraising the budgeted $10,000. We have been involved in such initiatives in the past, and have a list of many grants that we intend to apply for. We have already contacted the Business Faculty in Birzeit University and they have shown great interest in cooperating with us on such initiatives. As the students will help each entrepreneur with her business plan, analysis, and implementation, these students will have to be trained and knowledgeable in such a field. This will be done in cooperation with Palestinian Business Women Association (ASALA), which is a leading microfinance institution that has been active providing loans to women since 1997, with a total exceeding 9000 successful microloans.