BPW Japan selected two women groups for the 2nd "Job Generating Grant by Women, for Women"

Members of BPW Japan had a long discussion on what we could do and what we should do, as members of BPW International, to help women in the severely damaged area by the 3.11 gigantic earthquake and tsunami last year. We learned that many women wished to reopen or start their small business to make their living and contribute to keep the community alive. They badly needed financial help to support their business. In November, BPW Japan created a small grant program named "Job Generating Grant by Women, for Women," utilizing a good amount of donation from BPW sisters all over the world, in addition to numerous donations from BPW-J members.

The grant aims to provide support to working women in the severely damaged areas by the 3.11 disaster in 2011, with the conditions: 1) be organized by women; and 2) have a clear future plan to promote women’s employment and revitalization of good community. We believe that the grant will contribute to the promotion of local women’s economic independence in the affected area.

The 1st grant which went to 3 women groups was well received publicly. Thanks to several media coverage of the 1st "Job Generating Grant by Women, for Women" in January, both on TV and papers, more than 10 groups applied to the 2nd "Job Generating Grant." The selection committee chose two groups through site visits and interviews. On May 26, 2012, in Sendai, Ms. Matsubara, President of BPW Japan, handed in JPY 300,000 (USD 3,800) per group.

The two groups are: Tsugihagi-Suppe-Cha (Sendai City in Miyagi Pref.), production and sales of handcraft made by local tsunami-survivors; and Nori-Kobo Yamoto (Higashimatsuyama City in Miyagi Pref.), a seaweed manufacturer with a history.
In order to support them further, we displayed and sold their products, including previous three grantees’ products, successfully at the 2012 Annual Meeting in Osaka.

We greatly value your support which has made the grant program possible. BPW Japan will continue its fundraising efforts to increase women's economic independence in the area of disaster.