The document outlines a concept paper by Professor Jeremy B. Williams on a sustainable educational initiative for girls called GS4G, which aims to empower girls through education while promoting ecological sustainability and gender equality. It details a business model based on impact investment, local community involvement, and the establishment of self-sustaining educational campuses. The proposal emphasizes collaboration with communities and investors to create economically viable and socially impactful opportunities that break the cycle of gender inequality.

1. A Concept Paper
by
Professor Jeremy B Williams
Director, Asia Pacific Centre for Sustainable Enterprise
@jeremybwilliams
@TheGreenMBA
slideshare.net/jembwilliams
8 October 2014

7. We’ve also changed the surface of
the earth

11. We need 1.5 planets to sustain
current consumption patterns …

12. … with potentially devastating
effects in the form of climate change

15. http://youtu.be/1e8xgF0JtVg

16. The ROI on girls’
education is well
documented

19. Used for fruit
and veg cultivation
and livestock
A community
provides land And labour
Materials to build
the school are
sourced locally
Energy is entirely
renewable:
solar
wind; or
biomass
International quality
curriculum via
Internet
Rainwater harvesting
for water supply
All wastewater
disposed of on site
And tree planting
GS4G is a focal point
for the whole community

20. VISION
Empowering all girls to realise equal
opportunity through education that is
ecologically, socially, and economically
self-sustaining.

21. MISSION
Provide community prosperity through local
investment of labour and materials to
establish a sustainable educational campus
for girls. In return, the education delivered
will enable the inter-generational cycle of
gender inequality to be broken, and provide
knowledge that will provide the foundation
for sustainable development of communities.

22. VALUES
The enterprise will revolve around the three
values of:
1. ecological sustainability
2. gender and inter-generational equality
3. the belief that giving a girl the education and
the ability to make informed decisions about
her life will ultimately benefit her community
and society more broadly.

24. The business model is based around
Impact
Investment

25. Set up GS4G
Foundation
Make debt/ equity
investments in GS4G
campuses including
student loans
Scale up creating
economic, social and
environmental impact
Recycle returns to
make new investments

26. Set up GS4G Foundation
• Corporate sponsorship
• Social Stock Exchanges
• Patient capital funds; e.g. Acumen
• Crowdfunding
• Fundraising chapters
• Carbon offset programs
• Donor agencies; e.g. UN agencies

27. The World’s Most Sustainable Companies, 2014 (Forbes Magazine)

28. London Singapore
Toronto New York

29. www.acumen.org

30. Rapid growth of
crowdfunding
for impact
investment

32. GS4G Fundraising Chapters
in major cities hosting
regular events

35. Funding via
companies
participating in
CDM programs

37. Gender equality, poverty alleviation and
environmental protection are cross-cutting
issues for aid agencies, meaning GS4G is in
good position to access downstream
funding opportunities

38. In 2015, the UN’s
Millennium
Development Goals
(MDGs) are to be
succeeded by the
Sustainable
Development Goals
“Goal 5: (SDGs)
Achieve gender
equality and empower
all women and girls” …
following energetic
campaigning from
groups like Girl Effect

40. Make debt/ equity
investments in GS4G
campuses including
student loans
• To be sustainable enterprise every campus of GS4G must be
economically viable
• The GS4G Foundation would retain majority ownership to
ensure mission integrity
• Return on equity may be set at capital preservation (or close
to 0%) for a period of time
• Operational costs to be covered from proceeds of on-campus
entrepreneurial activities
• Student loans from the GS4G Foundation repaid upon
employment following graduation

41. • Location selection is critical and local knowledge essential
• Extensive community consultation an important first step and the
Scale up creating
economic, social and
environmental impact
rationale for an all girls’ school accepted
• Local community must supply the land and the labour
• Best practice sustainable building design, sourcing construction
materials locally
• The campus would be a focal point for the community in providing a
catalyst for sustainable development; i.e. food and water security,
employment and business development
• Volunteer networks would be tapped to import skills and knowledge
unavailable locally

42. • GS4G must not be positioned as a charitable organisation, but as a
business with different motivations; i.e. it seeks to maximise
economic, social and environmental welfare not profit.
• Development is freedom from hand-outs. A person’s dignity is not
served by charity, and GS4G is about contributing to the creation of
strong, self-sufficient and resilient communities.
• Successful GS4G campuses can provide financial returns to the GS4G
Foundation and also provide mentorship for new campuses.
Recycle returns to
make new investments

44. A collaborator rather
than a competitor

45. Potential partner organisations focused
on investment in girls’ education and
gender issues

47. South and Southeast Asia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Cambodia
• Philippines
• Sri Lanka
• Nepal
• Bangladesh
• Pakistan
• India
not limited to …

48. profjeremybwilliams