Women Empowering Women (WeW) project originates from the concept of "Philanthropic Franchising" (PF). The opportunity to carry out a trial of PF which in a business context - simply means 'giving' and 'replication' respectively. The difference between charity and philanthropy is charity relieves the pains of social problems where as philanthropy attempts to solve those problems. With the HwH trial
this involved creating a 'Giving Circle' where donations go directly to projects. The Hands with Hands Microfinance Giving Circle - 2014 will contribute towards the establishment of a new Microfinance Cooperative (MFC) in Chitwan District, Nepal. MFC consist of 20-25 women from the same rural village. This business model has proven to encourage them to support each other and to be co-responsible for each other's loans. Bear Fruit initially took this cooperative concept and transferred it to a developed world context in Western Australia in 2013 to trial the idea creating an annual Giving Circle connected to women in small business with a similar membership number as the MFC in Nepal. The idea was to raise awareness amongst the small business sector in the developed world of the 'shared experiences' we have with women in enterprise in the developing world event though our business models are different. More importantly, establishing how PF can be replicated. John Curtin Leadership Academy - HwH Project was the 2nd trial undertaken with PF and the outcomes from this project integrated a much broader social media approach and will provide Viti with a platform to continue her exploration of PF and its feasibility.
