Dr. Martin Burt recognized in the World of Difference Awards by
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) for Contribution to Women’s Economic Empowerment
Dr. Martín Burt has received a prestigious 2025 World of Difference Award from The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) for his contribution to women’s economic empowerment. Burt is the Founder and CEO of Fundación Paraguaya (FP), a nonprofit organization established in 1985. He has significantly transformed women’s economic empowerment by reimagining how vulnerable populations access financial resources, skills, and decision-making power.
His approach places women at the center of community development, recognizing them as primary drivers of sustainable development. Under his leadership, FP has empowered 90,000 women (93% of all clients) with financial services previously out of reach, achieving a notably low 1.37% overdue loan rate. The program’s solidarity groups offer more than just loans; they create safe spaces where women build confidence, mutual support networks, grow their businesses, and improve creditworthiness.
Dr. Burt’s innovative work in poverty eradication is defined by his ability to develop practical, scalable solutions that directly address the root causes of multidimensional poverty. His model has been replicated in 13 countries and has been recognized by the Skoll and Schwab Foundations. His lifelong leadership proves that when women gain financial inclusion and skills, they transform communities and economies across generations.
The TIAW World of Difference Awards recognize extraordinary women, men, and organisations from around the world who have contributed to the economic empowerment of women, across a range of award categories. This year’s awardees represent 27 countries, and 6 continents; and are notable for their diversity, innovation, talent, and dedication to uplifting women.
TIAW President Donna Meredith stated: ‘TIAWs reason for our focus on the economic empowerment of women is remarkably simple. We believe that by supporting individual and collective efforts to ensure women can equally access economic and social resources, enjoy financial independence, and have agency to make decisions about their lives, we are supporting meaningful and positive change for women and their communities. If you empower women, you change the world.’
“The women of the world need to be listened to and supported, that is something we prioritize in our work every day,” said Martin Burt. “In 2023, we supported over 89,000 microentrepreneurs, 91% of whom were women, by granting more than 203,000 microcredits and delivering over 7,500 courses, workshops, and training forums. This initiative helped participants increase their income by an average of 40%! Thank you to TIAW for recognizing this work done by the organization and for helping us grow to help even more households.”
About TIAW
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) is a global charitable foundation dedicated to the economic empowerment and advancement of women all over the globe. TIAW seeks to unite and support women and their associations around the world, leveraging their ideas and their strengths to develop and implement programs for the advancement and economic empowerment of women around the world. Our commitment is to the ‘inclusive economy’ – uniting, supporting, and promoting women and their chosen networks across all continents, which in turn supports and strengthens the global economic fabric. We celebrate and promote to work of women everywhere. For more information or a membership application contact admin@tiaw.org or visit www.tiaw.org. Founded in 1980, TIAW is organized as a 501(c)3 foundation in the USA; however, TIAW is international, representing women and networks from all continents.