The establishment of a Five-O Project in a developing country or countries in transition makes a significant contribution to alleviating poverty and improving the status of women by teaching basic education, vocational skills, marketing and small business operations which leads to employment. Health care, education, and nutrition are also included.

By the International Committee, consisting of the International Presidents of the five organisations who appoint an International Coordinator and treasurer to communicate with the Committee and the individual project and to arrange for the transfer of funds.

The Local Committee consisting of two representatives of each organisation present in an area. They may also co-opt other non-governmental organisations and seek support of local, regional, and national governments and others such as business organisations that may wish to help with the project

A first grant of up to US$15,000 may be followed by a second grant of US$7,500 after the project is well established and if need is shown, but local committees are expected to seek funding from local sources for the continuation of projects.

Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines (Bacolod) Philippines (Pampanga), Samoa, Senegal, South Africa (Cape Town) South Africa (Grahamstown), Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Any member of BPW can support the principles and activities of the Project overall, or a particular location within it. The most efficient way to give a donation is to send money to BPW International noting whether it is for general funding or a particular project. BPW will transfer this directly to the Project Five-O bank account, which saves on currency loss.

- It must be in an area of a developing country where at least two of the organisations have established clubs.
- There must be a real need for training for underprivilieged women so they can acquire the ability to earn a living.
- There must be tutors and a centre for study available suitable for the training to be given.
- Five-O funding targets equipment, materials, salary and rental costs.

Discussion with your Affiliated Organisations could be useful in identifying a project or, if the site is in your country, could provide possible sources of support.

Guidelines for an application (Word Format) (PDF Format)

The procedure for setting up new projects is for a proposal to be made containing the information as set out in the Guidelines. If there is sufficient information, the proposal then goes to the International President for her approval. She will refer the proposal to the Project Five-O Coordinator who will contact the other four members of the Project Five-O International Committee. If three ouf of five organisations approve the proposal, the Coordinator will organise the payment of the initial grant up to US$15,000.

A few examples of Five - O projects:

Mexico - La Paz

The Silvia Salazar Salazar Nursing School built from Five-O funds on land donated by the Local government. The majority of students come from poor villages outside of La Paz and go back to their local areas after graduation to work as nurses. Scholarships are donated by BPW Clubs around the world, including BPW Australia, to students with low economic resources. Donations are also given for the expansion construction of the school building auditorium named after former BPWI President Dr Yvette Swan.

South Africa - Grahamstown
The Masithandane Association in Grahamstown is the base for a craft cooperative that gives employment to women in an urban environment, with delivery also of necessary life-skills. Buildings have been renovated to house the materials and equipment required for development, and over 35 different items are in production, some on order for service clubs as promotional gifts at conferences. Some of the items derive from the traditional Xhosa crafts, and the local Tourism Board regularly places orders.

Samoa - Apia
A training centre for home economics where girls and women are taught the basic skills of sewing, cooking, home management and nutrition to an acceptable standard so that they themselves can train women and girls in outlying villages and on the Island of Savaii.
The Project hopes to provide skills for the 80% of school leavers every year who do not find employment or continue on to tertiary education so that they gain employment, and contribute to the welfare of their families and villages, and especially their own personal development and independence.

Brazil - Brasilia South
The project provides education on human rights for women to address problems of violence against women and to teach mothers responsibility in bringing up their children, helping to keep the family together and avoid boys and girls becoming street children. By integrating the underprivileged family into the community in conditions of economic efficiency and giving them cultural activities, the project pursues the social improvement of participants by personal effort.