Citigroup Microentrepreneurship
Awards (CMA) Programme
Implemented by PKSF and Citibank, N.A. Bangladesh:
1. Background of Citigroup Microentrepreneurship
Awards (CMA) Programme:
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Citigroup Foundation,
and the Global Microentrepreneurship Awards (GMA) Student Alliance joined
together in 2004 to promote and illustrate how microfinance strengthens
the entrepreneurial spirit in impoverished communities around the world.
The GMA was launched as a pilot in 2004 in 8 countries as one of the
key events to mark the United Nations’ 2005 International Year
of Microcredit. The success of the GMA pilot resulted in the program’s
expansion in 2005 from 8 to 30 countries including Bangladesh. Much
leadership support of the 2005 GMA came from the excellent local microfinance
networks and organizations, academic institutions, and NGOs as Council
of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in Bangladesh. PKSF was the
secretariat of that GMA Programme 2005.
The Microentrepreneurship Awards programme, which Citigroup implemented
in partnership with the U.N. in 30 countries last year, was a resounding
success. More than 4,500 microentrepreneurs applied to the programme
and more than 300 microentrepreneurs took home awards worldwide. In
Bangladesh only, more than 460 microentrepreneurs applied and 4 winners
were awarded at the culminating event. But the programmes greatest success
was increasing global awareness of the important role that microentrepreneurs
play in their local economies and the significance of microfinance as
a tool in poverty alleviation. As the Year of Microcredit has concluded,
and the UN is no longer participating as a funder of the awards, the
Citigroup Foundation is pleased to take on complete responsibility for
the program in 2006 as its sole funder. From this point forward the
program will be called the Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards.
Citigroup Foundation thanked PKSF & its Managing Director as the
Chairperson of National Advisory Council for the generous commitment
of time on behalf of the 2005 Microentrepreneurs Awards programme. Citigroup
Foundation has proudly invited PKSF to participate in this year’s
programme, renamed as Citigroup Microentrepreneurs Awards and was hoped
that PKSF’s Managing Director will consider joining the Council
again as the chairperson this year. The Advisory Council will be proposed
to guide and advise the award process to align it with its goals. So
CMA programme financer Citigroup Foundation encourage again PKSF to
act as the secretariat and the local NGO Partner for implementing the
CMA program in Bangladesh for 2006.
2. Goals of this Programme:
The programme seeks to raise awareness about microfinance, particularly
among microentrepreneurs who could benefit from it. Highlighting award
winning microenterprises should inspire the poor to start their own
businesses, as well as publicize best practices in microentrepreneurship.
By encouraging the poor to emulate effective products and processes,
the program will facilitate the creation of more sustainable microenterprises.
It will also help support microfinance where it already exists and introduce
it to communities, which have no prior experience with it. The programme
seeks to build awareness of the important role microentrepreneurs play
in their local economies. One of the Program’s goals is to reshape
the societies’ perception of the poor from unfortunate victims
to capable entrepreneurs. Another programme’s goal is to generate
as much media attention around this issue as possible through communications
initiatives and events that highlight the program. Additionally, generating
recognition of the MFIs affiliated with each of the winners will highlight
the microfinance industry’s high loan repayment rate of 98% and
vast unmet demand, as well as demonstrate that MFIs can be operationally
and financially self-sufficient. The program aims to inspire donors
to provide self-sufficient MFIs with capacity-building and technical
assistance, and to provide nascent MFIs with such services, as well
as with needed capital. The Program aims to create the next generation
of microfinance networks, comprising political and financial leaders,
opinion shapers, students, practitioners, and communities. It is important
that the members of the public sector who participate in this network
spur policymaking that builds more inclusive financial sectors and lays
the foundation for a flourishing microfinance industry. In addition,
linking existing microfinance networks to the program will facilitate
communication and collaboration between established and developing networks
and organizations.
3. Press Release about CMA Programme:
(a) Major contents of press release on Citigroup Microentrepreneurship
Awards launched dated 30 May, 2006
Bangladesh: Citigroup Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Citigroup, for the second consecutive time today launched the
Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards program in Bangladesh to recognize
and honor leadership, entrepreneurial skills and best practices of individual
microentrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
The program was announced today at a press conference by a high-level
advisory council chaired by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed where all important
partners and stakeholders were present.
The awards will be presented in five categories - `Best Innovative Microenterprise
of the Year', `Best Woman Microentrepreneur of the Year', `Best Microentrepreneur
of the Year', `Best Microfinance Institution (MFI) of the Year' and
`Best Program for the Hardcore Poor' -- at the end of the selection
process from June through September.
The Advisory Council formed for the awards
include:
· Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed-Managing Director of PKSF
and Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank;
· Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud -Eminent Economist and Former Advisor
to the Caretaker Government;
· Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury-Executive Director of BRAC and Former
Adviser to the Caretaker Government
· Ms. Rokia A. Rahman - Former Adviser to the Caretaker Government;
· Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor of Bangladesh Bank;
· Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin - President, Board of Governors, East
West University & Former
· Governor of Bangladesh Bank;
· Mr. Matiur Rahman-Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo, Ataus Samad-
Advisory Editor,
· The Daily Amar Desh
· Professor Abu Ahmed-Chairman of Bangladesh Shilpa Bank
· C.Q.K. Mustaq Ahmed, Additional Secretary & Director General
of the NGO Affairs Bureau;
· Dr. Mohammad Tareque - Additional Secretary, Finance Division,
Ministry of Finance;
· Mr. Nasimul Ghani, Director General - Bangladesh Television;
· Ms. Shireen Scheik Mainuddin - Managing Director, Asaan &
Ex- Senior Banker and
· Stacey Morse - Eminent Social Worker.
Also remaining present at the press conference were Mahfuz Anam
- Editor, The Daily Star, Shykh Seraj - Director and Head of News, Channel
i and Mamun Rashid - Citigroup Country Officer, Bangladesh.
The Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards is being supported by Citigroup
Foundation and managed by Citibank, N.A. Bangladesh and Palli-Karma
Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) as the local partner. The grant from the Citigroup
Foundation will be used toward implementation of the award program as
well as the prize money.
Four eminent organizations - The Daily Star, Daily Prothom Alo, Channel
i and Dhaka Sheraton -- have joined this program in Bangladesh as partner
organizations.
The Microentrepreneurship Awards program, which Citigroup implemented
in partnership with the U.N. in 30 countries last year, was a resounding
success all over. In Bangladesh, more than 460 microentrepreneurs applied
and 4 winners received awards and Shamima Khatun - winner of the most
innovative business of the year award -- represented the winners at
the culminating event of the International year of Microcredit in New
York. The program's greatest success was the increasing global awareness
of the important role that micro-entrepreneurs play in their local economies
and the significance of microfinance as a tool of poverty alleviation.
The goal of this award is to promote microenterprise and increase awareness
about their financial service needs. More importantly, the aim of this
initiative is to recognize the success stories of the entrepreneurs
and put the spotlight on local microentrepreneurs who are helping lift
the economic fortunes of their communities, and bringing more capital
into their developing economies.
At the launch of the awards, Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud said, "This
award program is a good initiative as last year to create awareness
for financial mainstreaming of microcredit programs. Poverty alleviation
is not an easy task and microfinance is a globally proven tool to help
in poverty eradication and we are deeply committed to encouraging and
recognizing its role in Bangladesh's social development through this
program".
Announcing the program, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed mentioned, "Microcredit
and microfinance will however serve the diverse financial needs of maximum
number of poor clients when it is mainstreamed and integrated into the
financial sector. We need to establish linkages to bring the microentrepreneurs
to the next level and that calls for larger financial services to be
provided to a larger group of clients."
Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, said, "Issues relating to poor and under
privileged are central to the health of a nation's progress. Addressing
their problems cannot be done by any one individual or organization
and microcredit effect would have its result when the overall economy
of the nation will grow with a collaborative effort".
Added Mr. Ataus Samad- Advisory Editor, The Daily Amar Desh "I
am delighted that a major private enterprise like Citigroup has taken
the lead in recognizing the efforts of individuals at the grassroots
level through a collaborative approach."
Mamun Rashid, Citigroup Country Officer, Bangladesh said, "We are
delighted at the encouraging response we have received from the eminent
citizens of Bangladesh to participate in the Advisory Council and the
valuable partners in progress to make this award program a more meaningful
and successful one through our collective effort."
In the last five years alone, the Citigroup Foundation has awarded nearly
$20 million in grants to 145 microfinance partners in more than 50 countries.
(b) Major contents of press release on Nomination Wanted
for Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards dated 6 June, 2006
Citigroup Foundation, for the second consecutive time recently launched
the Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards program in Bangladesh to
recognize and honor leadership, entrepreneurial skills and best practices
of individual microentrepreneurs and micro enterprises in Bangladesh.
As announced, the awards will be presented in five categories - `Best
Innovative Microenterprise of the Year’, `Best Woman Microentrepreneur
of the Year’, `Best Microentrepreneur of the Year’, `Best
Microfinance Institution (MFI) of the Year’ and `Best Program
for the Hardcore Poor’.
The award program now seeks nomination starting from 7th June 2006 (Wednesday)
and the submission deadline of sending nominations for the award is
July 7, 2006. All nominations for five categories of awards with complete
information are to be sent to Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF).
The Citigroup Microentrepreneurship Awards program is locally managed
by Palli-Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and Citibank, N.A. Bangladesh.
For more information and to get an application form, please contact
Akond Md. Rafiqul Islam – Assistant General Manager - Operations,
PKSF at 9126240 ext: 1115 or visit the website at www.asia.citibank.com/bangladesh/corprate
or www.pksf-bd.org .
4. Award Screening Committee:
An award screening committee is also working in this regard. The members
of the Screening Committee are:
· C.Q.K. Mustaq Ahmed – Additional Secretary & Director
General, NGO Affairs Bureau (Convener – Screening Committee)
· Dr. Mohammad Tareque – Additional Secretary, Finance
Division, Ministry of Finance
· Ms. Rokia A. Rahman – Former Adviser to the Caretaker
Government
· Ms. Shireen Scheik Mainuddin – Managing Director, Asaan
& Ex- Senior Banker
· Mr. Shykh Seraj – Director & Head of News - Channel
I
· Ms. Parveen Mahmud - Deputy Managing Director, Palli Karma-
Sahayak Foundation (PKSF)
· Mr. Mosharraf Hossain Khan - Deputy Managing Director, Palli
Karma- Sahayak Foundation (PKSF)
Besides, Mr. Akond Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, AGM, PKSF is nominated as
a member secretary of the SC committee.
5. Secretariat of the Programme:
PKSF will act as the national secretariat for the Citigroup Microentrepreneurship
Awards (CMA) programme. PKSF, as the apex microfinance body would help
in identifying the MFIs in different districts across the country and
help collect nomination/screening/selection of finalists. PKSF will
help to assist informing MFIs through sending invitation with application
forms. PKSF will act as the local NGO Partner for this programme to
receive and manage the fund. A CMA operation committee has also been
made in PKSF consisting five members.
6. Application submission:
Application submission deadline is 7th July, 2006. Any competent may
submit application through MFI or District Commissioner. The application
forms along with selection criteria for award programme are attached
herewith. Candidates are requested to send their applications within
7th July, 2006 to the following address:
Akond Md. Rafiqul Islam, Assistant General Manager (Ops.)
Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF),
PKSF Bhaban, Plot : E-4/B, Agargaon Administrative Area
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207
PABX No. : 880-2-9140056-59 (Ex: 1115), Fax No. : 880-2-9126244, 9134431
E-mail : pksf@pksf-bd.org, Website : www.pksf-bd.org
Bangladesh
The application forms and selection criteria
01) Form-Most
Innovative Microenterprise of the Year (doc file)
......Form-Most
Innovative Microenterprise of the Year (pdf file)
02) Form-Best
Woman Microentrepreneur of the Year (doc file)
......Form-Best
Woman Microentrepreneur of the Year (pdf file)
03) Form
-Best Microentrepreneur of the Year (doc file)
...... Form
-Best Microentrepreneur of the Year (pdf file)
04) Form-Best
MFI of the Year (doc file)
......Form-Best
MFI of the Year (pdf file)
05) Form-Best
Programme for the Hardcore Poor (doc file)
.....Form-Best
Programme for the Hardcore Poor (pdf file)
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Palli Karma-Sahayak
Foundation (PKSF), PKSF Bhaban, Plot : E-4/B, Agargaon Administrative
Area, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207
PABX No. : 880-2-9140056-59, Fax No. : 880-2-9126244,
E-mail : pksf@pksf-bd.org, Website : www.pksf-bd.org, Bangladesh
Citibank, N.A. Bangladesh: 109
Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka-1212. Tel: 880-2-8855139-41; Fax: 880-2-9899126.
Website: ww.asia.citibank.com/bangladesh/corporate
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