CHF Project

Helping People Through

Community - Habitat - Finance

CHF International, in partnership with the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA), and with funding provided by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is implementing a 12-month project that began in July 2005 aiming to facilitate women’s entrepreneurship through policy reform, advocacy, capacity building, business training, and networking activities. CHF plans on working with PA Ministries, the Palestinian Private Sector, local and international NGOs as well as international businesses and organizations working in handicrafts, to empower Palestinian women through their involvement in the economic and social life of their communities.

- Identifying Needed Reforms:

In cooperation with the Palestine Economic Research Institute (MAS), POWER will produce three studies to help identify needed reforms relating to women’s involvement in business and the economic sector. An initial baseline survey will be conducted to identify indicators relating to women's current involvement in business. A second study will be done to include policy recommendations on reforms needs in PA laws (particularly the investment law) and policies affecting women's entrepreneurship. The final study will focus on policy recommendations, on reforms needed in technical and vocational education and training for women. These studies will provide a framework from which the POWER program can effectively target women entrepreneurs with maximum long-term impact.

- Developing Entrepreneurs:

CHF and MOWA will be holding a series of advocacy workshops. The results activities from the workshops will be developed into an advocacy and media campaign aimed at convincing policy makers to empower women to acquire skills to become entrepreneurs and work in non-traditional fields. MOWA's staff will participate in the design and business training to develop Ministry capacity. Business start-up kits will be developed along with information about the Middle Eastern Regional Handicraft Network for women entrepreneurs which is to be established. Business kits and information on POWER activities will also be available through MOWA'a Women's Resource Centers.

- Creating Linkages:

POWER is drawing on the proven experience and professionalism of four main local partner who are serving as business incubators by providing linkages to the target women, business support services and connections to the business community Our partners include:

The Palestinian Women’s Entrepreneurs’ Association (ASALA) - Ramallah
The International Center of Bethlehem (Dar An-Nadwa) - Bethlehem
PARC - Gaza
Samou Charitable Society - Hebron

A Palestinian Women's Handicraft Entrepreneurs' Association (PWHEA) will be created under the auspices of ASALA in order to develop linkages between women entrepreneurs and business resources. The Association will strengthen coordination and communication among members and will include training by the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC) in democratic organizational processes as well as preparation by a private sector body to assist members in competitively participate in international trade fairs and exhibitions. To enhance public awareness and business prospects, a website will be created for the display and secure sale of the handicrafts.

CHF will work with other regional organizations, such as the Jordan River Foundation, the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, Kan Zaman in Jordan and the Al-Najde Association in Lebanon's refugee camps, to establish a Regional Handicrafts Network of handicraft producers which will include the PWHEA. Information about the Network will be placed on the MOWA Women's Resource Centers. Network members and organizations will be connected to over 14,000 design and distribution contacts in the CHF International Crafts Center database giving access to diverse markets in the United States.

- Business Training for Women:

Business Training: The Centers will offer intensive training and consultation at least two days a week for six months. Training will be provided by Birzeit University and will focus on: management, marketing, costing and pricing, production, packaging, shipping, entering the global market, international trade law requirements, managing human and fiscal resources, maximizing human resources and business relations/communication.

Business Counseling: At the conclusion of formal training, Incubator Centers will help the women entrepreneurs to develop a business plan, website, and establish business relationships with distributors.

Provide Design/Quality Training: Consultations by local and international design experts on marketable designs, colors, finishing and quality requirements will help participants gear their business towards real market demand.

Participants: CHF will identify women artisans and businesswomen who show potential to start or expand handicraft businesses, either working alone or employing other women. Low-income women who are their family's main breadwinner will have priority.

Promote Trade: This vital component will involve market research, marketing plans, and training the POWER Program participants to package, pack, and ship orders placed at exhibitions and through the association website. The aim is to prepare the entrepreneurs to present their crafts attractively to their queries.