VOXTRA FOUNDATION

The profile

Voxtra was started in January 2008 to identify exceptional development programmes and innovative social entrepreneurs in developing countries. The name Voxtra is derived from an old Norse word meaning growth, making it a fitting partner to enable Hand in Hand’s expansion across the state.

The project

In November 2008, the Norwegian foundation Voxtra partnered with Hand in Hand to enter four new districts of Tamil Nadu. Voxtra has allocated USD 3 million for this three-year project. This means that Hand in Hand will be able to reach 90,000 poor and disadvantaged women, assist them in building over 40,000 small enterprises and 200 or more medium-sized enterprises, and provide adult literacy training for 30,000 women. To support the women, the Voxtra programme will also fund the development of vermi-compost enterprises and Citizens’ Centres in each of the new districts.

This major programme will not only have a significant and sustainable impact on the lives of the women, but on entire communities. Hand in Hand has shown that a woman with an increased family income will be able to take an interest in the education of her children, in health, in the environment, and in her citizen rights.

Pål Dale of Voxtra Foundation explained, “We at Voxtra believe in funding programmes which empower individuals to get themselves out of poverty, and by so doing have a broad, sustainable impact on entire communities. Hand in Hand’s approach to aid complements our thinking exactly. What is more, and perhaps most importantly, we found Hand in Hand to be a highly professional, pragmatic, and delivery-oriented organisation with strong management and reliable systems, giving us at Voxtra the confidence that they have the ability to deliver.”