Yann Borgstedt, wins the Global Philanthropic Philanthropy Prize 2018 

Yann Borgstedt, Founder and President of the Womanity Foundation, has been awarded the Global Philanthropic Philanthropy Prize 2018.   
Chosen for his innovative thinking, for applying an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, and for investing in the testing of “new models”, Yann is the third awardee of the Prize.  The Prize was presented by last year’s recipient Geoff Holt and recognises outstanding leadership in philanthropy by an individual who has shown creativity, courage and innovation through acts of philanthropy.   
On the Prize, Yann said:

It’s an honour to receive the Global Philanthropic Philanthropy Prize 2018. Society will not be successful if women are not given the same rights and opportunities as boys and men. One of the big fights I’m trying to lead is to involve more men in this work. If we do not involve men we will lose this battle.  

After a successful business career in technology, real estate development and exhibition handling, Yann set up The Womanity Foundation in 2005 to focus on impactful and pioneering approaches for the empowerment of women in emerging markets. Through its entrepreneurial work, Womanity has achieved much success, including:   

• Launching the first radio station for women in the Middle East and challenging the stereotypical role of women in Arab societies through its ‘edutainment’ series, B100 Ragl. This bitesize online animation series highlights sensitive topics affecting women in the Middle East and has been viewed by over 2 million people to date.  
• Transforming more than 14 girls state schools in Afghanistan into model schools
• Launching the Womanity Award – a unique partnership model that scales innovative solutions which help prevent violence against women.
• Recognizing and assisting more than 18 social entrepreneurs in India and Brazil to scale up their operations and make their communities safer and more prosperous for women and girls. Through this programme Womanity has impacted over 67,000 people.   

The Prize, given by Global Philanthropic and Kleinwort Hambros – the private banking arm of Societe Generale in the UK, was presented at this year’s Talking Philanthropy 2018 conference.

The annual event, held at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club, focussed on Wealth Transition & Women in Philanthropy and was attended by hundreds of people from the philanthropic community. Womanity’s Director, Rafia Quereshi attended the conference and spoke on one of the panel sessions discussion philanthropy from a woman’s perspective.
Dame Stephanie Shirley, was also awarded at the event for Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy.  Ben Morton Wright, President & Group CEO of Global Philanthropic said: “We are delighted to recognise Yann at this year’s Talking Philanthropy Conference. Yann’s entrepreneurial vision and bold approach to philanthropy, such as his work in leveraging media and technology to change gender attitudes in the Middle East, makes him a worthy recipient.”