November 16, 2009, New York, NY – Dana H. Freyer has been named a 2009 Purpose Prize Fellow, a national honor for social entrepreneurs over 60 who are using their experience, creativity and passion to take on society's biggest challenges. Her organization, Global Partnership for Afghanistan (GPFA), has become a model for economic development in challenging conditions since its founding in 2002.
Freyer, co-founder and chair of the Board of Directors of Global Partnership for Afghanistan, was named a Fellow for her work in helping poverty-stricken men and women in rural Afghanistan develop profitable businesses and sustainable incomes for their families. GPFA's farmer-owned enterprises include woodlots, orchards, vineyards and tree nurseries. More than 6 million new trees have been planted. Over 70,000 individuals in more than 420 villages are benefiting directly, and the number grows every year. Working in partnership with local communities, GPFA also provides technical and business training, strengthens university agricultural programs, improves water management and revitalizes forests. The organization is based in Kabul, with offices in 9 Afghan provinces and in New York City.
Dana Freyer, a New York partner at law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, will join 46 other Purpose Prize Fellows at a Summit on Innovation on October 31 - November 1 at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business Center on Social Innovation, one of the world's leading academic centers focused on social entrepreneurship.
The Fellows underscore a trend in entrepreneurship later in life. According to studies by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (www.entrepreneurship.org), the 55-64 age group is the most active in creating new ventures. Counter to stereotype, people ages 20-34, are the least entrepreneurial, according to the study.
"By enabling Afghan farmers to help themselves, Global Partnership for Afghanistan is creating permanent improvements in their lives," commented Freyer. The farmers' energy and hard work are increasing their incomes, transforming their families, and greening their war-torn countryside. I am grateful to the Purpose Prize sponsors for spotlighting our power as individuals to improve others' lives, even in distant lands," Freyer continued.
The Purpose Prize supports Fellows by helping develop their capacity, linking them with funders and venture philanthropists and connecting them to other social innovators over 60. It is part of the Encore Careers campaign run by Civic Ventures, a national think tank on boomers, work and social purpose (www.encore.org). Funding for The Purpose Prize comes from The Atlantic Philanthropies (www.atlanticphilanthropies.org) and the John Templeton Foundation (www.templeton.org).