Launched in 1995, the Gaza Women's Loan Fund, was established to improve the economic well-being of Gaza by providing women with the opportunity to establish modern entrepreneurial businesses. Prior to the loan fund, these women had no access to the credit they need to create or greatly expand their own businesses. As a result, over 375 jobs have been created.
Applicants submit a business plan to a loan review committee.
The women must show that expected revenue will exceed the amount of loan repayments. Because this is the only such loan program in Gaza, women have been learning about this opportunity primarily through word of mouth. Some of the other loans provided for knitting machines, sewing machines, a video studio, and a dairy farm. The initial success of the Gaza Women's Loan Fund has inspired such confidence that we have fully financed the program in Khan Younis. We are proud to report that we are currently raising funds to establish a second loan fund in Gaza City.