In addressing the vast, complex issue of poverty, change-makers are beginning to look beyond the traditional donation model and short-term volunteering methods. Communities and organizations around the world have discovered that sustainable change requires a much more in-depth, locally-controlled approach that focuses on empowerment. This often involves the provision skills and tools to help people start small businesses. Whether it's the "business-in-a-box" micro-franchise approach, or training and products provided through a micro-consignment model, Micro-Enterprise can take many forms, but the key is that the method encompasses more just cash resources and includes the knowledge and relationships necessary for long-term, independent success. This collection of stories explores how Micro-Enterprise solutions are changing lives from the ground up. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

 1.     What are the key differences between micro-enterprise and micro-finance? In which scenarios might a micro-enterprise approach be more appropriate as a solution than a micro-loan, and why? 

 2.     Why do micro-enterprise ventures often focus on women as a catalyst? What systems and processes need to be in place to ensure the sustained success of a micro-enterprise? 

 3.     What factors are there to consider when an entity is considering investing resources in a one-off project solution versus a micro-enterprise solution? What role does firsthand personal experience, or "putting a face to the name," play in the implementation of a solution? What are key steps to transitioning a single-case project (think, a group of volunteers building a school) into a sustainable, empowering "venture-philanthropy" style development work (think, investing in local workers to build the school, training teachers to staff it, and establishing reliable access to books and uniforms for students), while still allowing for volunteers and donors to have meaningful involvement?