Purpose of This Presentation

• Share the context • Touch on some of the key factors that

influence entrepreneurship• Suggest a way forward for a broader policy

discussion• Introduce Hashoo Foundation • Share a case study … and hopefully finish

within the allotted time

The Context

Comments, ideas, views and suggestions are being shared in an organizational capacity and are based on Hashoo Foundation’s working environment: the poorer and disfranchised sections of urban and rural communities with a clear focus on women and the youth.

Key Factors That Influence Scaling-up of Entrepreneurship in Pakistan

• Awareness– A huge difference between the rural and urban poor– It becomes even more marked when education and gender are factored in – Many are unable to associate their work and livelihoods with

entrepreneurship

• Self Belief– Lack of confidence– Lack of role models

• Conducive Environment– Theirs is a ‘put you down’ environment rather than one that encourages and

support– Cultural and religious restrictions and taboos– Security and access

Key Factors continued

• Access to Resources– Technical

• Business plans, market research, basic product know-how business specific skills and expertise

– Financial• Lack of access to affordable financing; too much red tapism, unable to meet loan

requirements (savings, collateral, guarantors), burden of micro finance even before ant returns are realized).

– Intellectual & Mentoring• Lack of information on who else is doing what, Lack of access to role models and of course

mentors

• The Push– No help the take that all important first step

Broader Policy Dialogue

There is a need for a strategic single forum where:

Key players from public, private and development sector along with international donors and facilitating entities can come together and develop a policy framework that would help ensure a more conducive environment by creating synergies, building capacity, promoting awareness, improving access to technical and financial resources and avoiding duplication.

Mission and Presence

Our Mission is to enable and empower communities to be independent by facilitating equitable access to opportunities.

• HF is headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan and registered under Trust Act 1882

• It has two functional chapters: HF-USA, registered under 501(c) (3) of the US Internal Revenue Service; and HF-UK registered with the Charity Commission in the UK

• The HF operations are overseen by a Board of Trustees. Similarly both chapters have their own Board(s) of Directors

• HF Pakistan has program offices in Chitral, Gilgit & Rawalpindi and project offices in Bagh, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Layyah & Mansehra.

Our Core Programmatic Areas

Our programs in this area aim to achieve greater financial independence and self-reliance of individuals, families & communities.

Partnering with communities at the grass root level and exploring issues of socio-economic development, we seek to enhance the basic earning capacity of the community partners through value chain development, thus improving access to existing health, education, and nutrition services.

Economic Development

Key Interventions

HF is working in three major areas of economic development:1. Honey Bee Farming (Plan Bee)2. Dairy Development3. Marble Shine Associates (MSA)

Women’s Empowerment Through Honeybee Farming: Plan Bee

Plan Bee was initiated by the Hashoo Foundation to empower women in the remote areas of Northern Pakistan by expanding employment opportunities and generating a stable source of income through the sale of high-quality honey.

Why This Project?

• We wanted to financially empower families to meet their children’s education and health needs.

• There was a clear willingness within target communities.• Flora and fauna were abundantly available and some women

had already received training in beekeeping from AKRSP• Potential for women to adopt this as a cottage industry to

help their family• Honey bee farming could be made culturally acceptable for

womenfolk• As a business it was potentially profitable and viable

• HF has provided honeybee farming training to 949 from Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and Mansehra.

• 24 of the 28 business groups HF established are sustainable.• Honey producers have sold over 50,000 Kg of honey through

HF’s “Mountain Honey” brand. • 5000 Kg has been sold independently. • 215 beekeepers working independently (i.e. two business

groups developed their own honey brand in Skardu)• There has been a 32% increase in average income per

participating household.• 202 discontinued the honey business (i.e. primarily from Kalash

& Mansehra)

Achievements

Our ClientsAccess to Market

D. Dalton ShaheenCanteen Supply Department

Retail Market & Embassies and Ministries

Impact and Recognition

• With over 1,200 girls and boys having access to quality education and 7,500 dependents having increased access to better health and nutrition, it impact goes far beyond the 949 direct beneficiaries.

Recognised by the Clinton Global Initiative (at Poverty Alleviation Session 2007)

Clinton Global Initiative Featured Commitment 2008 BBC World Challenge Award Winner 2008 TEDx Talks Video 2010 Jefferson Awards Youth Service Challenge Winner 2012

Challenges

Ongoing:• Natural calamities and inclement weather• Disease outbreak.• Injection of regular funds for geographical expansion• Quality assurance and benchmarking at the independent

business group level.Strategic:• Reduce dependency on HF.• Turn the program into an independent social enterprise.• Replication

Our Mountain Honey Served in Hotels and PIA Flights