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PASIFIKA MICRO-CREDIT
Global Development, Aid & Service
Solomon Islands, PNG
Financial Relief & Independence: Empowering Women Through Micro-Credit Loans
The Pasifika Micro-Credit Program (PMC) provides financial relief and empowers women in Pacific Island nations with interest-free loans to start or expand businesses.
Repaid funds support future applicants, creating a cycle of empowerment and economic growth.
Mentorship and training equip women with skills for lasting success.
Creating Financial Opportunities to Start Businesses
Taking a partnership approach between WFWP Australia and the WFWP Chapters within the Pacific Island Nations, the Pasifika Micro-Credit project aims to empower women in the Pacific Nations by directly investing in their business idea with a micro-credit loan.
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WFWP Australia supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 1: no poverty; Goal 5: gender equality; Goal 8: decent work and economic growth; Goal 10: reduced inequalities; Goal 17: partnerships for the goals.
Pacific women are under-represented among business owners and face financial barriers to start and develop businesses. As a result, female-headed businesses are less likely to be successful due to limited capital.​
Studies show that when women are given economic opportunity, it benefits not only their families, but their community, and ultimately national economic development. Highlighting the first Global Goal, providing economic opportunities for women puts poverty reduction on a faster track.
Micro-Loans
Who Benefits?
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Women with low income who have viable business ideas that do not meet the criteria of banks or other traditional lenders and, therefore, are unable to access bank credit to start a small business.
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Women with existing businesses and/or start-up businesses who have strong business plans.
Applicants meet with the WFWP Chapter Executive team to understand the process before the training program. Repayment of the micro-funds is repaid over a 1-3 year period.
Returned funds are reinvested into the local Chapter, ensuring ongoing support for future applicants through micro-credit loans.
The Pasifika Micro-Credit Program (PMC) is a project established by WFWP Australia specifically to support women within the Pacific Island nations.
This project was launched in the highlands of PNG in January 2020. Since then multiple training workshops have been held in the Solomon Islands, and PNG.
The guidance and support of WFWP National Chapter teams are crucial to the success of the training program.
Financial Literacy Training
During the training program, participants are introduced to the philosophy of the project along with the basic elements of running a business.
While the primary focus of the training program is to support and empower local women, male family members—preferably husbands, brothers, or sons are required to attend in a supportive role.
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Research from micro-credit case studies revealed that a lack of male involvement often led to challenges, including jealousy, financial misuse, and even domestic conflict.
To address this, the PMC model intentionally includes male family supporters to foster shared understanding, mutual respect, and accountability—ensuring the success and sustainability of each woman’s business venture.​
To assist, a Pidgin English interpreter is present during the entire workshop.
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Throughout the training, participants actively explored and engaged with the following key modules:
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Explaining micro-credit
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The PMC process and philosophy
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Meet Your Supervisors
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Know Your Strengths
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Develop SMART Goals
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SWOT Analysis
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GANNT Planning tools and Business Planning
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Developing Your Business Plan
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Present Your Business Plan
Participants form small groups, each guided by a supervisor who supports them in developing and completing their business plans during the Business Planning sessions.
Some of the businesses ideas include: raising livestock such as chickens, pigs and fish farming, sewing garments, expanding and developing coffee fields, setting up trade stores, canteens and wholesale businesses, selling petrol, shell money etc.
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Under the leadership of the WFWP National Chapter, supervisors who are local professionals continue to provide mentoring support with business management.
After attending the three to four day financial literacy training workshop, women and their supporting family members are presented with certificates during the Graduation Ceremony.
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We eagerly anticipate updates from our PMC recipients to learn about their business ventures. We wish them every success as they pursue lasting and positive outcomes for their families and communities.