HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard have launched "Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World" for the sixth straight year.

Launched in 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day and the 25th anniversary of MasterCard in the Asia Pacific, the project is a joint initiative that provides 18-35-year-olds with a five-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea to the world.

With a US$25,000 prize on offer to make their idea a reality, this year's Project Inspire asks social entrepreneurs around the world to submit their ideas to change the world for women and girls through safety and security.

Applicants are asked to demonstrate how they are empowering women and girls across sectors such as health, financial inclusion, urban design, education and more throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Applicants must submit a five-minute video detailing how the $25,000 grant would be used to improve the lives of women and girls.

The competition has opened, and submissions can be made through the Project Inspire website at (www.projinspire.com). The deadline for submissions is July 1. — VNS