W+™ProgramProposal

EnsuringBenefitstoWomen

WOCANApril2014

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W+™ProgramProposal

TableofContents Page

WOCANandtheW+Standard™:EnsuringBenefitstoWomen

ThisisWOCAN 2

TheIssueandtheResponse 3

LeveragingtheGlobalCarbonMarketExperience 4

W+PerformanceMeasures 5

TheWomanEffect:FundingWomen’sEmpowerment 6

TheDemandforW+Units 7

W+Standard™:GovernanceandOperationalDesign 8

CashFlowofaW+UnitTransaction 9

FlowofFundsinaW+UnitTransaction 10

ImplementationFramework 11

W+Team 12

W+CapacityFund 13‐14

WorkflowofW+CapacityFund 15

WOCANW+Standard™andProgram 16

Time 17

IncomeandAssets 18

EducationandKnowledge 19

Health 20

FoodSecurity 21

Leadership 22

Pipelineof10SampleProjectsforW+Standard 23

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WOCANandtheW+Standard:EnsuringBenefitstoWomen

ThisisWOCAN:

• WomenOrganizingforChangeinAgricultureandNaturalResourceManagement‐Awomen‐ledUS‐registeredNGOfoundedin2004

• Globalmembershipnetworkof1000womenandmenin100countries

• SupportedbydiversedonorswithcoresupportfromNorway

• Focusingon:

– women’sleadership

– capacitybuildingforgenderequalitywithinagricultureandenvironmentorganizations

• NEWW+programexpandsuponwomen’sempowermentthroughaResultsBasedApproachto:

– increasebenefitsandimpactsforwomenandtheirgroups

– buildcapacitiesoforganizationstodeliverthesebenefits

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TheIssueandtheResponse

Thereisaresponse:Governments,developmentagencies,corporationsand

investorsareincreasinglyfundingwomen’sempowerment/genderequality,

basedonwomen’srightsandempiricalevidenceofimprovedprojectoutcomes.

TheW+StandardEnablesaResponse–

TheW+™isauniquecertificationlabelforW+Units;quantified,verifiedsocial/economic/environmentalbenefits,createdthrough:

‐Renewableenergytechnologies

‐Timeandlaborsavingdevices

‐Forestandagricultureactivities

- Employmentopportunities

- Communitydevelopmentprograms

TheW+™ quantifiesandverifiesbenefitstowomenin6domains:

Time Income&AssetsHealth Education&KnowledgeLeadership FoodSecurity

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LeveragingtheGlobalCarbonMarketExperience

Using a Successful Model –Voluntary Carbon Markets

W+ Standard Units and a Social Capital Market

The carbon market rewards investors and project developers producing “environmental capital”.

A market for economic, social and environmental benefits producing “social capital” valuing women’s contributions.

Carbon emission reductions benefit the global climate.

Growth of women’s empowerment enables virtuous cycles of social, economic and environmental improvements for women, households and communities.

A “voluntary” market for carbon reductions (offsets) provides incentive and compensation to encourage reduction activities.

A voluntary market for social capital provides incentives and compensation to encourage women’s empowerment activities.

Carbon markets require rigorous quantification and verification of emissions reductions claims

A social capital market created through the W+ Standard will use rigorous quantification and verification of women’s empowerment claims. 

A voluntary carbon market enables organizations to address their climate impacts with credibility.

The voluntary social capital market created through the W+ Standard enables corporations and organizations to implement their Corporate Social Responsibility and development goals with credibility.

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W+PerformanceMeasuresDomain

Example 

Outcome Example Indicator Example Activity Example Measure

Income 

and Assets

Increased 

community 

funds under 

women’s 

control.

Increase in Assets 

(land, trees, 

equipment, and 

livestock).

 

Support development of 

women’s savings and 

loan initiatives (ex. 

through seed funds).

 

Bank accounts in 

women’s name.

Time Improved 

well‐being 

and 

increased 

productivity.

Increased 

discretionary time. 

Increased sharing of 

women’s work.

Provision of time saving 

technologies and tools. 

Numbers of hours/day 

saved from fuel wood 

collection and spent on 

other activities.

Education 

and 

Knowledge 

Increased 

knowledge 

and skills.

Increased access to 

literacy/numeracy, 

business skills, and 

agriculture and health 

skills.

Classes or training and 

site visits to see 

successful activities of 

others.

Records of classes, 

certificates of completion, 

attendees list, etc. 

Leadership Increased 

decision 

making roles 

for women.

Increased 

representation in 

governance bodies.

 

Establish quotas for 

representation of women 

in governance bodies.

 

Number of women 

members, and women’s 

groups.

Food 

Security 

Increased 

food security 

(decrease 

under and 

malnutrition).

Decrease in period of 

Food insecurity 

(determined locally).

 

Provision of technical 

inputs (including seeds, 

tools, storage bins, 

irrigation, etc.).

 

Amount of food in 

storage; amount of food 

purchased from daily 

wage payments.

Health Improved 

health. 

Improved air, water 

quality.

 

Installation of improved 

services (e.g. cook 

stoves, methane 

digesters).

Change in indoor air 

quality. 

 

Change in GI diseases.

       

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TheWomanEffect:FundingWomen’sEmpowerment

Governments,developmentagencies,corporationsandinvestorsareincreasinglyfundingwomen’sempowerment/genderequality,basedonhumanrightsforwomenandevidenceofimprovedprojectoutcomes.

However,whatislackingformanyisarobustmeansofmeasuringtheseoutcomesinawaythatcanbesimplycommunicated.

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TheDemandforW+Units

W+™promotesdemandforW+unitsinthecontextofoverseasdevelopmentassistance(ODA)budgets,UnitedNationsMillenniumDevelopment&post2015SustainabilityDevelopmentGoals,gender‐relatedCSRcommitmentsand“women‐branding”:

• GlobalODAearmarkedforgenderactivitiesisUSD$20billion

• 168globalcompanieshavesetgenderorwomen‐specificCSRtargets

• 85%ofconsumer/householddecisionsinEuropeandUSaremadebywomen

• Increasingnumbersofwomenimpactinvestorswhowishtoinvestinwomen’sandsocialcauses

W+unitshaveahighemotionalappeal;neednoexplanation.Initialfocusgroupresultssuggestsubstantialwillingnesstopay

W+unitshavethepotentialtoberecognizedinsustainability(andmaybeonedayfinancial)accounting.

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W+Standard:GovernanceandOperationalDesign

W+StandardCommittee:

Definesproceduresandrequirementsformethods,units,accreditationofverificationentities,andresolvecomplaints,disputesandappeals

W+AdvisoryCouncil:

Providesobjectiveinputonstrategy,marketingandconnectionstonetworks

W+Developers:

Applymethodsanddriveissuanceofunits,includingverification

OperateusingW+Standardrulesandprocedures,verificationbyW+Standardaccreditedentities

W+UnitIntermediaries:

Builddemand,transferandsellunitsusingW+approvedregistries

W+Beneficiaries:

Eligiblebeneficiaries,identifiedinW+projectdesigndocument

W+BeneficiaryPaymentAggregator:

ManagepaymentstoW+beneficiaries,

IdentifiedbyW+developer,accordingtoW+rules,validatedbyaccreditedverificationentities

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CashFlowofaW+UnitTransaction

Unit development cost (PDD, MR, issuance support)

Verification cost

Issuance cost

Transfer cost

Trading margin reseller

Payment by final buyer

Cost recovery & margin unit developer

W+ beneficiary payment

Payment to project owner

W+Standardrequiresthatasubstantial%ofW+unitrevenuesarepaiddirectlytobeneficiaries.Onlyafterpaymentismade(toWOCAN)canW+unitsbetransferredtotheaccountofthebuyer.DeliveryofpaymentispartofW+MRVprocess(appliedinthefollowingverificationperiod).Atfirstverification,thesuitabilityofthepaymentmechanismisvalidated.

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FlowofFundsinaW+UnitTransaction

B B B B

Resellers

W+ Unit developers

WOCAN (or authorized

body)

Project-level W+™ payment

aggregator

Project developer

Beneficiaries

BuyerspurchaseW+UnitsfromresellersResellerspurchase/brokerW+UnitsfromW+developersW+™developerstransferW+™beneficiarypaymenttoWOCANuponwhichW+unitsaretransferredtobuyer.WOCAN(orauthorized)transferW+™beneficiarypaymenttoW+™paymentaggregator(designatedbyW+™developerinaccordancewithW+Standardrules(re:professionalcapacity)W+™paymentaggregatormakespaymentstobeneficiariesinaccordancewithW+™projectdesigndocumentPaymentdeliveryisverifiedbyverificationentityincontextofthefollowingverificationperiodBeneficiariescanuseW+™paymenttofinanceadditionalprojectsorothercommunityfinancingneeds

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ImplementationFramework

Outcome Activities Outputs Impacts Inputs

Build Demand for W+ Units

W+ Standard as fulfillment instrument for donor and CSR targets.

Develop metrics for women’s empowerment target setting & accounting (compatible with W+ units); work with PWC (TIMM), Hilton Group. Identify women investors/corporate leaders, draft term sheet and obtain support pledges (pooled into W+ Capacity Fund).

W+ Standard for target setting and achievement reporting W+ Capacity Fund and procurement contracts in place.

Entities use W+ Standard to define CSR targets and buy W+ units to reach them. Revenue from fees and delivered W+ units.

WOCAN to provide paid advisory and metric development activities. 50 k USD of contracted work Resources to conduct road‐show. 250 k USD loan, repaid via fund management fees. Management Fees finance operation.

W+™ women’s empowerment branding.

Create demand as developers conceive client‐driven W+ brand products.

Women Power, W+™ spa in hotels W+™ branding for cosmetics and hair/skin care products.

W+™ co‐branded products, revenues from W+ unit delivery.

Developed by 3rd. parties on 

basis of client fees, venture capital.

W+ Capacity Fund as procurement vehicle.

Propose use of W+ Standard for Results Based Framework of women’s empowerment to agencies/companies.

Management ofW+™ procurement contracts with project developers.

Increase supply of W+ Units, fee revenues.

Resources for pitching. Cost recovery via market development funds/management fees.

Assurance in the credibility of W+™

Create Standard Committee, review standard documents, and approve methods and tools.

Operating Standard Committee guidance and method documents.

W+ is fully operational, based on revenues from issuance fees.

Resources funded by seed funding grants, issuance fees, founder loans (repay from fees).

Supply of W+ Units

W+ Unit origination from flagship pilots plus other projects.

Issued Units Revenues from delivered Units.

Resources for origination. Financed via benefit‐sharing and market development grants $50‐$80k USD/project.  

Funding for market‐development

Seek funding to support W+™ market development activities as grants or pre‐payments.

Grant support, procurement contracts with pre‐payments.

Revenues for market‐and project development.

Resources for pitching.

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TheW+™Team*

JeannetteGurung TeamLeader

LeeWest MarketDevelopmentandFinancing

MargaretBruce W+MarketDevelopmentandAdministration

AnninaLubbock MethodologiesDevelopment

BarunGurung MethodologiesDevelopment

NishaOnta Communications

DibyaGurung NepalpilotProjectCoordinator

SikhalazoDube SouthernAfricapilotProjectCoordinator

PartnersandEarlySupporters:

SouthPoleGroup

IngoPuhl MethodologiesandMarketDevelopment

Biosfoundathttp://wplus.org/about/team

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TheW+™CapacityFund

SummaryoftheWOCANW+™(Woman’sEmpowerment)CapacityFund

Name W+CapacityFund,aprogramofWOCAN

LegalEntity WOCAN(WomenOrganizingforChangeInAgriculture&NaturalResourceManagement),registeredinNewYorkandWashington,D.C.

NonprofitStatus

WOCANisaregisteredUS‐based501(c)3nonprofitwiththeIRS(12/2004)

Governance W+AdvisoryCouncil,StandardCommitteeandInvestmentCommitteegovernW+™andW+Standard.

LifeofFund 4years

Objective TheobjectiveoftheCapacityFundistobuildbroadexternalandinternalinstitutionalcapacityandprivatesectorprocurementdemandforW+UnitsthroughdevelopmentprojectsdemonstratingtheviabilityoftheW+™asmeanstoempowerwomenindevelopingcountriesandservetheCorporateSocialResponsibilityinterestsofW+Unitbuyers.TheCapacityFundachievesthisobjectivebypoolingcontributions(financialcommitments)ofparticipantstoforward‐purchaseW+Unitsfromeligibleprojectswhichintegrateandmeasurewomen’sempowermentandparticipationinsixdomains:Time,Income&Assets,Health,Leadership,Education&KnowledgeandFoodSecurity.W+Unitswillbeissuedfromthoseprojectsthatcanbeverifiedtohaveincludedwomen’sempowerment‐relatedelements,quantifyingandassigningafinancialvaluetothem.

FundManagement

TheFundManagementteamconsistsofexpertswithstrongfinancialbackgroundsinthestructuringoffundvehicles(HFS‐HedgeFundServices),procurementofcarboncredits(SouthPoleCarbonAssetManagement)andwomen’sempowerment/genderexperts(WOCAN).Theinvolvedentitiesoperatealargenetworkofon‐the‐groundstaff(indevelopingcountries)toobtainriskmanagement,auditing,andothersupportingservicesasneeded.

AdvisoryCouncilandStandardCommitteeMembers

EdwinAalders*,DevelopmentManager,DetNorskeVeritas(DNV),NorwayLizAllen*,SocialAuditorsNetwork,U.K.DavidAntonioli,ExecutiveDirector,VerifiedCarbonStandard(VCS),USALeslieDurshinger,ManagingDirector,TerraGlobalCapital,USASarahHobson,ExecutiveDirector,NewFieldFoundation,USASylviaLow,CorporateResponsibilityAsiaPacific,HiltonWorldwideWanguMutua,DeputyProgramDirector,ViAgroforestryProject,KenyaEijaPehu,ProjectLeader,GenderinAgricultureProgram,WorldBankIngoPuhl,Partner,SouthPoleCarbonAssetMngt.,SwitzerlandandThailandAlysonSlater,CSRAsia,SeniorAssociate,HongKong,ChinaLeeWest,WOCANBoardofDirectors,DefensivePortfolioMngt.,USAKevinWhitfield,HeadofAfricanTreasuries,NEDBankCapital,S.AfricaTBD*,PriceWaterhouseCoopers,U.K.andThailand

*MembersoftheStandardCommittee,whichisasub‐committeeoftheAdvisoryCouncil.Biosfoundathttp://wplus.org/advisory‐council

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ProcurementStrategy

TheFundManagersolicitsandevaluatesproposalsfrominterestedprojectdeveloperstooriginateasupplyofW+Units.TheFundManager,withtheW+™programteamandAdvisoryCouncil,evaluateseligibilityofprojectstomeetW+™criteria,assessesnon‐delivery/defaultrisksandsubmitstotheInvestmentCommitteeaportfolioofprocurementoptionsandindicativeprocurementterms.

CapacityFundReturnsandBenefits

TheCapacityFundwill distributeW+Units,onceissued,andatleastannuallythereafter,toallparticipantsproratainaccordancewiththeirpaidincontributions.Contributorswillreceiveadditionalbenefitsbasedontheircontributionlevels(Bronze,SilverorGold).

EligibleProjects

EligibleprojectsmustmeettherequirementsoftheW+StandardandanyadditionalcriteriaformulatedintheFund’sprocurementstrategy.

ProcurementCriteria

AllprocurementdecisionsoftheFundaremadeinaccordancewiththerulesoftheW+StandardandtheProcurementStrategyoftheFund,whichisnegotiated,agreedandupdatedfromtimetotime,bytheInvestmentCommitteeandtheAdvisoryCouncil.TheFundManagerwillsolicitprocurementproposalsinaccordancewiththeProcurementCriteria(i.e.inrelationtotargetedcountries,projecttypes,etc.).

InvestmentCommittee

TheInvestmentCommitteeconsistsofthoseparticipantsthathavecontributedatotalofUSD$1million,ormore.TheInvestmentCommitteemeetsfourtimesperyear.

StakeholderConsultation

TheFundManagerwillconductanopen,publicized,internationalstakeholderconsultationthatprovidesanopportunityforallinterestedstakeholderstocommentontheCapacityFund’sProcurementStrategy.

ParticipantsCommittee

TheParticipantsCommitteeincludestheFundManagerandallFundParticipants.TheCommitteeconvenesannually(remoteparticipationispossible)asaclosedsideeventofaglobalconferenceonsocialinvestingorothereventswithsubstantialwomen’sempowermentagenda.TheFundManagerreportsthestatusandprogressoftheFund.

RegistryandPublicListingofW+Units™

ItisanticipatedthatW+Unitswillbe: Validatedbyaleadingthirdpartyverifier Custodiedwithinaninternationallyrecognizedregistry Listedandtradableonaninternationalcommodityexchange

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Work‐flowoftheCapacityFund

Activities ResourcesandResultsLaunch ProcurementCriteriadefined.Formationofallfunctional

bodiesthatgoverntheFundandoperatetheW+™program.

Procurementtendering

Fundissuestenderdocuments(approvedbyAdvisoryCouncil).

Informationeventsintargetcountries,ortargetedvenues

Fundconductsoutreach/informationalmeetingsintargetedcountries,identifiespotentialpartners,projectdevelopersandstakeholders.

Pre‐screeningofsubmissions

Fundprovidesfeedback,Q&Atotender,receivesandpre‐screenssubmissions.

Submissionofpositivepre‐screenedprojects&initialprojectselection

FundsubmitsalistofcandidateprojectsforfurtherconsiderationbytheInvestmentCommittee.

W+Standardpre‐screening

CandidateprojectsareinvitedtopreparePINandsubmittoW+Standardpre‐screening(aUSD$500pre‐screeningfeeshallapply).

W+Unitpurchasecontractnegotiation

FundnegotiateskeytermsofW+™ purchasecontractwithprojectdeveloper(onthebasisofguidancegivenviaprocurementcriteria).

Supportdevelopmentofpre‐screenedprojects

Accepted/contractedprojectsreceivefirsttrancheofW+™developmentpaymenttopreparefullPDDandrequestW+™registration(iftheprojectfailstoregisterthefirsttranchedevelopmentpaymentislost).ProjectdevelopercannominateW+Unitdevelopertoprovidethisserviceforthem.

Projectoperationandfirstissuance

Followingsuccessfulregistration,theprojectdeveloperreceivesthesecondtrancheofthedevelopmentpayment.W+Unit(project)developersubmitsmonitoringreporttoaccreditedverificationentitywhichsendsissuancerequesttoW+™StandardCommittee.

TransferofW+Units W+™Standard organization (withinWOCAN)issuesW+UnitsandtransfersthecontractedvolumetotheFund.TheCapacityFunddistributesissuedW+Unitsatleastannually.Unitswillbeeligibleforcustodybyaregistryandlistingonaninternationalcommodityexchange.

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TheWOCANW+StandardandProgram

Toacceleratewomen’sempowerment,WOCAN1hascreatedW+:theworld’sfirststandardtomeasurepositiveimpactstowomen’ssocialandeconomicempowermentfromprojectssuchasclimatechangemitigationandinternationaldevelopmentprograms.TheW+Standardcreatessharedsocialvalue2insixdomains:Time,Health,Education&Knowledge,FoodSecurity,Income&AssetsandLeadership.Whenincorporatedintoprojectdesignandexecution,theW+™providesmeasurable,verifiableadditionalsocialbenefits,resultinginmarketable“W+Units”forsaletocorporateorinstitutionalbuyersinterestedinrobustmeasurementoftheCRSinvestments.RigorousstandardsandmethodsensurebuyersofW+certified“Units”willbeprotectedfromfalseorinflatedclaims,andcanconfidentlymeasurethebeneficialimpactsoftheirinvestments.Tothispoint,WOCANhassupportedthedevelopmentoftheW+Standardthroughitsowncorefundingresources.WOCANhasdevelopedtheTIMEmethodologyandistestingtheStandardandMethodologyinthreepilotprojects.AnAdvisoryCouncilandStandardCommitteehavebeenconvenedforgovernanceandtechnicaloversight.WOCANhasalreadyinvestedmorethanUSD$200,000instandardandmethoddevelopment,andfieldtestingwithinpilotprojects.Oncesufficientcorefundingissecured,WOCANwillbeabletoimplementadministrativeandoperationalfunctionswithinafewweeks.WOCANprojectsthatafterthreeyears,theW+™programwillbefinanciallyself‐sufficient.WOCANisseekingUSD$490,000inseedfundingtosupporttheestablishmentofadministrativeandoperationsfunctionsandmethodologydevelopmentin2014.

1 WOCAN’s Mission is to build women’s leadership in agriculture and natural resource management through organizational and individual transformation.  WOCAN focuses on three pillars to fulfill its mission: Women’s Leadership Development, Policy Advocacy and Women's Empowerment. 2 The central premise behind creating shared value is that the competitiveness of a company and the health of the communities around it are mutually dependent. Recognizing and capitalizing on these connections between societal and economic progress has the power to unleash the next wave of global growth and to redefine capitalism.  

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“Time”Timeisthedomainthatenablessuccessinallotherdomains,andsoisthehighestpriorityformethoddevelopment.Inmanypartsofthedevelopingworld,womenspendmanyhourseachdayperformingtaskssuchasgatheringfuelwoodorcollectingwater.Whentheintroductionoftechnologyornewpracticesfreeswomenfromthesephysicallydemandingandtime‐consumingtasks,womenhavemoretimetocarefortheirownhealth,earncashincome,cultivategardensandnewcrops,improvetheirknowledgeandeducationandparticipateintheenhancementoftheircommunities.Inthedevelopedworld,theavailabilityofclotheswashingmachinesfreedwomenfromthetime‐consumingchoreofhandlaunderingclothing.TheW+seekstoprovidesimilartimerelieftowomen,whocanthendevotemoretimetowardimprovingtheirlivesinotherways.

Toachievethegoalsofthismethod,projectsneedtodocumentanincreaseinwomen’sdiscretionarytime,bymeasuringshiftsintheuseoftimeawayfromlower‐valueactivitiestowardhigher‐valueactivities.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughtheuseoftime‐savingtechnologiesandtools,including;tractors,biogasdigesters,improvedcookstoves,waterpumpsandstoragefacilities.Themethodologywillprovidedirectionandguidanceonsurveytechniques,culturallyappropriatestakeholderengagementandappropriatedegreesofcertaintyanddetail.Timeisthekey.Manyorganizationssupportwomen’sentrepreneurship,

education,maternalhealth,andfoodsecurityinthedevelopingworld.But,untilwomenarefreedfromthenecessarychoresthatconsumesomuchtime,theywillmakelittleprogressinotherareas.Byaddressing“timepoverty”throughnewtechnologiesandpractices,particularlythroughadditionalbenefits(suchaspreventionofdeforestation,improvedairqualityandhealth),theW+Timemethodologyunlockswomen’spotential.WOCANestimatesthatpilotprojectpartnershipscanbeconfirmed,andthatthe“Time”methodologycanbecompletedandfieldtestedwithinfourmonthsoffunding.Fundingneedestimatesare:$25,000forMethodDevelopment$25,000forFieldtestvalidation$50,000forPilotProjectActivities

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“Income&Assets”Inmanyregionsoftheworld,womenhaveverylimitedaccesstofinancialortechnicalassets.Owningproperty(tools,livestock,land,jewelry),controllingmoney(havingapersonalbankaccount),andmakingindependentdecisionsaboutresourceuseareimportantleveragepointsforempowerment.Women’scontributionsareoftenun‐compensated,butwhentheyare,womencanpowerfullyaffectthewell‐beingoftheirfamiliesandcommunities.

TheIncome&Assetsmethodenablesprojectdeveloperstomeasurehowaprojectincreasesincomeandassetsthatareaccessibletoorcontrolledbywomen.Examplesofassetsmaybemoney,jewelry,land,trees,livestock,orequipment.Additionally,theprovisionof

legalrightstowomen,includingthatofcitizenshipandtherighttoownland,canbeessentialtowomen’sempowerment.

“Whilewomenmakeup66percentofthelaborforceinurbanareasofdevelopingcountries,theyaccountforonly10percentofincome.Researchclearlyshowsthatwhenwomen’sincomesgoup,theadditionalincomegoesdirectlytoincreasinghouseholdconsumptionandthereforeintotheoveralleconomy,whileincreasesinmen’sincomemoreoftengointopersonalconsumption.Inaddition,itiswellestablishedthattheavailabilityofsecurepropertyrightsdriveseconomicdevelopmentthroughinvestmentinpropertyimprovements,increasedmanufacturingandpurchasingonwholesaleandretailmarkets,accesstobetteremploymentopportunities,andimprovedhealthandeducation.”3CorporateinvestmentssuchastheGoldmanSachs‘10,000WomenInitiative’andsimilareffortsbringneededattentiontothevastbutunder‐developedsocialandeconomicpotentialofwomen.TheIncome&Assetsmethodologywillenablemeasurableandverifiableimprovementsinaccesstoresourcesandcontrolofearnedassetsbywomeninprojectcommunities. 

WOCANestimatesthatpilotprojectpartnershipscanbeconfirmed,andthatthe“Income&Assets”methodologycanbecompletedandfieldtestedwithinfourmonthsoffunding.

Fundingneedestimatesare:$25,000forMethodDevelopment,$25,000forFieldtestvalidation$50,000forPilotProjectActivities

3 A Critical Issue in Urban Economic Development prepared for: the International Housing Coalition and the Urban Institute ‐ prepared by Carol S. Rabenhorst with the assistance of Anjali Bean, July 2011 

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“Education&Knowledge”Thebenefitsoffemaleeducationforwomen'sempowermentandgenderequalityarebroadlyrecognized: Asfemaleeducationrises,fertility,populationgrowth,andinfantandchildmortalityfallandfamilyhealthimproves.

Increasesingirls'secondaryschoolenrollmentareassociatedwithincreasesinwomen'sparticipationinthelaborforceandtheircontributionstohouseholdandnationalincome.

Women'sincreasedearningcapacity,inturn,hasapositiveeffectonchildnutrition.

Children—especiallydaughters—ofeducatedmothersaremorelikelytobeenrolledinschoolandtohavehigherlevelsofeducationalattainment.

Educatedwomenaremorepoliticallyactiveandbetterinformedabouttheirlegalrightsandhowtoexercisethem4.”

TheEducation&Knowledgemethodwillenableprojectdeveloperstoevaluatehowprojectshaveresultedinwomen’sincreasedknowledgeandskills,aswellasthetransmittalofwomen’sknowledgeandskillstoothersinthecommunity.Thiscanbemeasuredbyincreasedknowledgeandskillsgainedfromextensionservicesaboutagriculture,forestmanagement,livestock,renewableenergy,sanitationandhealth,etc.Otherskillsincludethoseofbasicreadingandwriting,numeracy,businessmanagement,computerandGPSuse,andcommunication.Localinitiativestoshareknowledge,skillsandinformation,andinvitationstoparticipateintrainingandeducationopportunitiesandexposurevisitstoobservesuccessfulinitiativesinothercommunities,especiallythoserunbywomen,canprovidestrongincentivesandpositiveexamples.Theeconomicbenefitsofenhancededucationandknowledgeamongwomenandgirlsarecompellingandsomebusinessesseethesebenefitsasapathtocreatingmarketdemandfortheirgoodsorservicesordevelopingamoreeffectiveworkforce.Inadditiontothesebusinessmotivations,nationalandregionalgovernmentsmayrealizegreatbenefitsthroughimprovedeconomicoutputsandreducedsocialcosts,throughtheeducationalempowermentofwomenandgirls.“Womenindevelopingnationsareusuallyinchargeofsecuringwater,foodandfuelandofoverseeingfamilyhealthanddiet.Therefore,theytendtoputintoimmediatepracticewhatevertheylearnaboutnutritionandpreservingtheenvironmentandnaturalresources5.”WOCANestimatesthatpilotprojectpartnershipscanbeconfirmed,andthatthe“Education&Knowledge”methodologycanbecompletedandfieldtestedwithinfourmonthsoffunding.

Fundingneedestimatesare:$25,000forMethodDevelopment$25,000forFieldtestvalidation$50,000forPilotProjectActivities4 Population Reference Bureau, 2003 5 UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, 2012 

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“Health”AccordingtotheUNICEF,66%oftheworld’sworkisdonebywomen.Thisincludesworkinsidethehomeascare‐giversforchildrenandseniors,paidandun‐paidlabor,foodproduction(cultivatingcrops,collectingandstoringharvests)andresourcemanagement(waterandfuel).Ifwomenareinpoorhealth,duetopoornutrition,lackofaccesstohealthcare,ortheimpactsofdisease,theirreducedworkcapacitywillinevitablyleadtomultiple,cumulative,negativeimpactstofamilies,communitiesandtonationaleconomies.Improvingwomen’shealth,andcommunityhealthoverall,canhaveapositivemultipliereffectslocally,andnationally.TheHealthmethodenablesprojectdeveloperstoevaluatehowtheprojecthasimprovedtheoverallhealthofwomen.Thiscanbedocumentedthroughimprovedhealtheducation,expandedaccesstohealthservicesandclinicsandimprovedstaffingandsuppliestoexistinghealthclinics.Additionalmeasurableimprovementsmayinclude:infantandmaternalmortalityrates,ratesofanemiaamongstwomen,vaccinationratesandlocaldiseaserates(respiratory,gastrointestinal,etc.). Investinginwomen’shealthisnotonlythe‘rightthingtodo’,butinvestmentsinhealthenablesuccessinotherdomains.Further,outcomesinhealthinvestmentscanbeeffectivelymeasured,andchangesovertimecanbetracked.WOCANestimatesthatpilotprojectpartnershipscanbeconfirmed,andthatthe“Health”methodologycanbecompletedandfieldtestedwithinfourmonthsoffunding.

Fundingneedestimatesare:$25,000forMethodDevelopment$25,000forFieldtestvalidation$50,000forPilotProjectActivities

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“FoodSecurity”ImprovementsinFoodSecurityarecriticalforwomen’sattainmentofeconomic,socialandhealthimprovements.Womenareoftenresponsibleforensuringthattheirfamiliesarefed,yettheythemselvesmaygowithoutadequatenutrition.Womenindevelopingeconomies,particularlyinindigenouscommunities,arethecustodiansoflocalplantknowledge,traditionalmethodsandpracticesofcropandsoilmanagement.Supportingwomenintheirroleasfood‐producersiscriticalforlong‐termfoodsecurity,improvednutritionandeffective,sustainableresourcestewardship.TheFoodSecuritymethodwillenableprojectdeveloperstoevaluatehowtheprojecthasdecreasedthequantityandqualityoffoodinsecuritywithinhouseholdswithintheprojectscopeorboundary.Thiscanbemeasuredthroughdocumentationofincreasedsoilfertilityandyields,diversityofcropsandvegetables,andotherimprovementsinfarmingsystems.Anotherapproachistomeasureanddocumentimprovementsintoolsoraccesstotools,foodstoragefacilities,irrigationsystemsandpost‐harvestpracticesthatresultinimprovedcropyieldsanddecreasedpost‐harvestlosses,leadingtomoreavailabilityofnutritiousfoodsforwomenandtheirfamilies.

Indevelopingeconomies,womenproducefromhalftofarmorethanhalfofallfoodproduction,yettheyreceiveasmallfractionofaidresourcesdirectedtowardagriculturaldevelopment.InvestmentsintheFoodSecuritymethodandassociatedprojects,toensurethatwomenhaveaccesstotools,resources,knowledge,facilities,andaccesstomarketsfortheirproduction,canhavemultiplepositivebenefitsinwomen’seconomicempowerment,nutritionandhealth,andresourcestewardship.

WOCANestimatesthatpilotprojectpartnershipscanbeconfirmed,andthatthe“FoodSecurity”methodologycanbecompletedandfieldtestedwithinfourmonthsoffunding.Fundingneedestimatesare:$25,000forMethodDevelopment$25,000forFieldtestvalidation$50,000forPilotProjectActivities

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“Leadership”

Withindevelopingeconomies,womenarestillwidelyunder‐representedindecision‐makingatalllevels,inthehousehold,inbusinesses,andinthepublicsphere.Addressingtheseinequitiesthroughlawsandpublicpolicyisawayofformalizingthegoalofgenderequality.However,legalchangesarenotalwayssufficienttoovercomecustomstocreatelastingchanges.ImplementationofprogramssuchastheW+™methodologycanhelpclosethegapbetweenwhatlawsproscribeandwhatactuallyoccurs.

TheLeadershipmethodologyenablesprojectdeveloperstoevaluatehowprojectsresultinincreaseddecisionmakingrolesforwomen–withinthecontextoftheprojectitselforwithinhouseholdsandcommunities.Thiscanbemeasuredthroughevaluatingincreasesintherepresentationandparticipationofwomenbothquantitativelyandqualitativelyingovernancebodiesofcommunityorganizations(measuringhowmanywomenareinleadershiprolesandhowmanyareactiveindiscussionsanddecisions)oranincreaseintheeffectivenessofwomen'sgroupstoadvocate,managefunds,negotiateandnetworkthroughleadershipandentrepreneurshipskilldevelopmentandcoaching.

“Genderequalityisimportantinitsownright.Developmentisaprocessofexpandingfreedomsequallyforallpeople—maleandfemale(Sen,2009).Closingthegapinwell‐beingbetweenmalesandfemalesisasmuchapartofdevelopmentasisreducingincomepoverty.Greatergenderequalityalsoenhanceseconomicefficiencyandimprovesotherdevelopmentoutcomes6.”

WOCANestimatesthatpilotprojectpartnershipscanbeconfirmed,andthatthe“Leadership”methodologycanbecompletedandfieldtestedwithinfourmonthsoffunding.Fundingneedestimatesare:$25,000forMethodDevelopment$25,000forFieldtestvalidation$50,000forPilotProjectActivity

6 International Monetary Fund. Empowering Women Is Smart Economics FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT, March 2012, Vol. 49, No. 1 

 

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Pipeline of 10 Sample Projects for W+ Standard Project Name 

Country  Project description  W+ Domains  Org  Website 

Kariba REDD+ Project 

Zimbabwe REDD Forestry project with significant women’s involvement. 

Time, Leadership 

South Pole 

http://southpolecarbon.com/Kariba/page/projectpage.php  

National Programme for Improved Cookstoves  

India 

Introduces improved cookstoves pan India, which helps in reduction of firewood, therefore time saving for women. Also, improves health condition. 

Health, Time, Education and Knowledge 

South Pole 

http://www.southpolecarbon.com/projects/project_overview  

Improved Woodstoves in Udaipur ‐ Helping Women and Environment 

India Improved woodstoves help in easier and faster cooking and better health. 

Health, Time, Education and Knowledge 

Seva 

https://products.markit.com/br‐reg/public/project.jsp?project_id=103000000001909 

Vi ‐ Agroforestry Project 

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda 

 Works with women farmers’ groups to plant trees, offset carbon in soils, maintain active saving and borrowing groups, provide biogas, solar power and briquettes, provide training in agriculture and soil fertility, constructed  water collection systems. 

Time, Food Security, Health, Leadership, Education and Knowledge  

Vi Agro‐forestry 

http://www.viagroforeviag.org  

International Water Purification Project 

Uganda + 10 Countries 

Aims in improving health condition of women and children in the project area. It also helps in reduction firewood collection as it employs clean technologies for water purification. 

Health, Time, Education 

South Pole 

http://www.southpolecarbon.com/projects/project_overview  

Voluntary Cookstove PoA 

4 Countries 

The PoA aims in introducing improved cookstoves Across many LDC, which helps in reduction of firewood, therefore time saving for women. Also, improves Health condition. 

Health, Time, Education 

South Pole 

http://www.southpolecarbon.com/projects/project_overview  

Dissemination of fuel efficient biomass stoves and water purification systems  

Tanzania 

This project gives improved biomass stove and water purification systems to households in Tanzania. 

Time, Health, Income and Assets, Leadership 

Envirofit 

https://products.markit.com/br‐reg/public/project.jsp?project_id=103000000002079 

Biogas Micro‐digester Introduction to Rural Households  

China 

Aims at installing micro bio‐digesters at community ‐household level, improving sanitation by providing toilets, less back breaking jobs done by women and more free time for women. 

Health, Time, Education and Knowledge 

PEAR Carbon Offset Initiative, Ltd. 

http://www.pear‐carbon‐offset.org/english/index.html