Women's Bank
Women's Bank (Finnish: Naisten Pankki) is a community and a fund within Finn Church Aid set up to support women's sustainable businesses and livelihood in developing countries.
Origin
The idea for Women’s Bank was born in 2007 at Brussels airport, when a group of influential Finnish women were on their way back home from Liberia. They had been invited in the war-torn West African country by the Finnish NGO Finn Church Aid. Moved by the condition of women in Liberia, the founders of Women's Bank set out to establish a 'women-to-women' framework. Funds raised by voluntary work would benefit women in developing countries, providing necessary assistance, training and capital to earn their own livelihood.
Focus on Women
The project's focus on women is based on the specific, and quite often underprivileged condition of women globally. Women and girls are an untapped resource for development in developing countries. According to Women's Bank and numerous voices in the field, improving the status and the livelihood of women is the single most important way of eradicating poverty and improving the standard of living, benefitting not only individuals or families, but whole communities. Some Women's Bank projects have specific roles for men, they are also included in other facets of the network. Women are in the foreground of Women's Bank however, in an attempt to extend the independence and status enjoyed by many of their Finnish counterparts.
Structure
Local groups
Women’s Bank has 35 active local groups around Finland. Groups consisting of volunteers organize fundraising activities and events. Funds thus raised are channeled to projects in developing countries.
Funded Projects
Funds raised by Women's Bank volunteers go to the following targets (administered by FCA):
- Projects improving women’s income, skills and rights
- Microloans, upgrading skills and other projects in support of women’s business activities
- Other pilot projects focusing on businesses set up by women
Implementation
Women’s Bank’s projects are evaluated and carried out by Finn Church Aid. The NGO with decades of experience in humanitarian aid, development cooperation and a wide network of professionals available for assisting project tasks. Women’s Bank’s fund is administered by Finn Church Aid.