Melania is a volunteer-driven organization established in 1921 with a longstanding commitment to empowering women. While its early years focused on charitable assistance, the organization has evolved to emphasize sustainable development and economic independence for women. The core philosophy of Melania remains rooted in building mutual connections and supporting strong, enterprising women. For over a century, it has worked to uplift women in under-resourced regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The organization supports initiatives by providing start-up grants to women’s groups that otherwise have limited or no access to credit through conventional financial systems. These grants help launch income-generating projects that have the potential to transform communities and lives. Melania recognizes the importance of local leadership and encourages project ownership by the women themselves, ensuring that the solutions are tailored, impactful, and sustainable. As the world continues to change, Melania’s mission to empower women remains vital and timely, serving as a bridge between compassion and capacity building.

Melania’s grant program aims to support small-scale, income-generating initiatives led by women in economically challenged communities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The grant is intended to act as a catalyst, providing the initial financial push needed to launch a project with the potential to become self-sustaining within two to three years. Projects must originate from local women’s groups and be aimed at enhancing their economic or social conditions. The initiative must be planned and implemented by the group itself, ensuring active participation, responsibility, and communication. Melania funds initiatives that would otherwise lack access to credit facilities in their local context, focusing particularly on those driven by low-income women. The organization encourages self-reliance, and as such, looks for proposals that clearly lay out the project’s goals, local needs, available resources, and a realistic budget. The projects should also demonstrate a level of local contribution and community support. Through these grants, Melania aims to build long-term capacity and autonomy among women’s groups, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and sustainable development.