Project Inspire

Launched in 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the 25th anniversary of Mastercard in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, “Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World” is a global challenge that presents 18-35 year olds with a 5-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea to the world. Project Inspire 2016 takes on the theme of ‘Empowering Women and Girls Through Safety and Security’. Applicants were asked to demonstrate how their ideas harness safety and security concepts to empower women and girls throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Now a multi-award winning initiative and one of the most high profile CSR programs in the Asia Pacific region, Project Inspire 2016 celebrates six years of supporting social entrepreneurs around the world. Mastercard continues to support initiatives promoting women empowerment in Asia Pacific, investing a US$25,000 Grand Prize to one project this year. Joining the effort to create lasting impact for many women and girls is new Supporting Partner Mazars, contributing a US$10,000 Financial Inclusion Award to the competition, bringing the total prize pool to US$35,000.

Project Inspire is co-organised and co-founded by Singapore Committee for UN Women and Mastercard. Knowledge Partner, INSEAD and Strategic Partner, Bain & Company have been long-term supporters of the initiative. Mazars joins the competition for 2016, in support of women’s empowerment and social entrepreneurship. This year, the initiative also welcomes back returning Program Partner, Independent Project Analysis, new Program Partner, Own Your Brilliance, and Crowdfunding Partner, Impact Guru.

Join us at the Grand Final event to watch our 10 finalists pitch their projects to our esteemed panel of judges and compete for the Grand Prize.