CDO HANDMADE PAPER, SUCCESFUL GRANTEE OF THE ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE FUND FOR THE PACIFIC AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

Cagayan de Oro Handmade Paper is one of the two successful grantees of the Enterprise Challenge Fund--an Australian Aid Program--out of the 147 eligible concept notes submitted in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The grant, which was awarded in October 2008, will support the company’s wealth generation project through the export of abaca-based handmade paper. The said project is aimed at greatly improving the quality of life of the cluster stakeholders, the rural and urban paper makers and crafts men, and the Manibay Higaunon Tribal Community in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Cagayan de Oro Handmade Paper, in consortium with the Manibay Higaunon Tribal Community, Landcare Foundation of the Philippines Inc. and Mindanao Socio-Economic Development Foundation, Inc., will generate employment or income through the grant. It will provide paper making and paper crafts training among the urban poor and will allocate to the Indigenous People, funds for the planting of 900 hectares of abaca or Hemp, which is one of the raw materials in paper making.

Australia will provide $20.5 million over six years to pilot an Enterprise Challenge Fund for the Pacific and South-East Asia.

Providing access to employment and markets is vital to generate a sustainable reduction in poverty. The Enterprise Challenge Fund aims to stimulate growth and ensure the poor are included in the benefits and opportunities provided by growth.

Source: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/business/other_opps/ecf.cfm