MADISON, Wis. — World Council of Credit Unions is now inviting eligible female credit union leaders to apply for the 2015 Global Women’s Leadership Network Scholarship. Applications are due by April 3, 2015.
The purpose of the scholarship program is to advance credit union women in leadership roles around the world, WOCCU said. The Network seeks emerging women leaders who are interested and committed to making a difference in their local credit union movements. Scholarship winners receive complimentary access to the Network and participation in the 2015 World Credit Union Conference and Global Women’s Leadership Forum in Denver, July 12-15. Recipients also become candidates eligible to receive the Empowerment Grant to increase access to loans, credit and financial education for women in their community.
Last year, scholarship winners Elenita San Roque, CEO, Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (Thailand); and Kristi Lozano, Financial Education Specialist, San Mateo Credit Union (USA), were selected 2014 Empowerment Grant Recipients. San Roque is working with Paglaum Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Philippines to establish a business development center that will help advance women members' entrepreneurial and leadership skills, as well as access to markets and information for micro and small enterprise developments. Lozano's project aims to increase the financial and leadership skills of female high school credit union members, and assist in their preparation to enroll in a college or university.
During the conference, selected candidates will present their project proposals for Network members to review and vote on. Those chosen for an Empowerment Grant will have one year to carry out their project, WOCCU said. Candidates are highly encouraged to provide an opportunity for Network members to assist with local implementation.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be female emerging leaders in the global credit union movement. This includes young professionals ages 18–35, and leaders from developing credit union movements, which excludes Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Poland and the United States. Successful candidates must demonstrate the ability to effectively implement their proposed project, and suggest appropriate engagement from the Network, such as volunteer opportunities and training events.
Interested women should submit their two-part scholarship and empowerment grant application to CUwomen@woccu.org by April 3. A committee will review applications and contact successful candidates by April 20. For complete details about the scholarship criteria and awards, visit www.CUwomen.org/scholarships. For questions on the scholarship application process, contact Brianne Hurford at+1-608-395-2063 or bhurford@woccu.org.
Above right are the 2014 scholarship winners included (from left) Triza Tsiga Magreta, Mudi SACCO, Malawi; Elenita San Roque, Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions, Thailand; and Esther Cherono Keino, Belgut Rural Women SACCO, Kenya. Winners not pictured include Kristi Lozano, San Mateo Credit Union, U.S.; Nigar Agamaliyeva, Azerbaijan Credit Unions Association, Azerbaijan; and Kortoe D. Woloquelli, Trust Savings Credit Union Women's Organization, Liberia.