900 female microentrepreneurs to be supported through renewed partnership between the British Asian Trust and the Standard Chartered Foundation
Standard Chartered Foundation and the British Asian Trust have renewed their partnership to support young women microentrepreneurs build sustainable livelihoods.
The partnership aims to promote the growth and sustainability of 900 microenterprises.
Standard Chartered and The British Asian Trust are thrilled to launch ‘Thriving Futures’, a three-year enterprise development programme that will focus on providing support to high-potential youth micro-enterprises to help build their capacity and attain long-term sustainability.
The previous programme enabled us to empower over 1000 young women and men to boost and sustain their agri-enterprises by focusing on enterprise growth, marketing, quality assurance and digital literacy training which helped to increase enterprise revenues by 25% on average.
Building on learnings from the past programme, ‘Thriving Futures’ will offer advanced enterprise development and tailored interventions to 900 microenterprise groups (90% of which will be women-led) to become thriving and, in doing so, create a stronger, more inclusive microenterprise ecosystem in Sindh and Punjab. The British Asian Trust will deliver the programme in conjunction with two implementing partners – Kaarvan Crafts Foundation and Shirakat.
Kamyla Marvi, Pakistan Director of the British Asian Trust said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with Standard Chartered Foundation through the launch of Thriving Futures. Having previously worked together to support entrepreneurs in agricultural settings, this new programme reflects our shared and continued commitment to creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for more women and youth-led enterprises across Sindh and Punjab. Through our interventions we aim to enable economic resilience, promote access to finance and increase market access.”
Rehan Shaikh, CEO & Head of Coverage, SC Pakistan stated: “Standard Chartered’s partnership with the British Asian Trust for the launch of Thriving Futures programme, a new three-year initiative that will enrich over 900 microenterprises, create positive social impact, and create sustainable livelihoods. This partnership reflects our dedication to supporting entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to succeed and thrive.”
About the partners:
The Standard Chartered Foundation (SCF) is a charitable organisation that tackles inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion for disadvantaged young people, particularly young women, and people with disabilities. Its programmes focus on employability and entrepreneurship, helping young entrepreneurs and jobseekers access the skills, networks, opportunities, and support they need to achieve economic power and participation.
Standard Chartered Bank is a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets.
The British Asian Trust was founded in 2007 by His Majesty King Charles III and a group of British Asian business leaders, to unlock the potential of disadvantaged people in South Asia. The Trust is a leading international development organisation and a pioneer and champion of outcomes-based finance in India.