OUR APPROACH

Our support begins with what women and local organisations in the travel and tourism sector say they need. We assess projects carefully and work on the basis of equality, local ownership and transparency. The form and duration of our contribution vary from project to project.

OUR PRINCIPLES

The following principles guide everything the SUITSUIT Foundation does:

LOCAL OWNERSHIP

Local women and organisations know what their communities need. They therefore have a meaningful voice in the development and delivery of each project.

WOMEN AT THE HEART

We support projects that contribute as directly and concretely as possible to strengthening the social or economic position of women in the travel and tourism sector.

INDEPENDENCE
AND LASTING VALUE

We prioritise initiatives that give women greater access to employment, income, entrepreneurship and freedom of choice, and that have the potential to create value over the longer term.

EQUAL PARTNERSHIPS

We treat the organisations and women we work with as equal partners. Their knowledge, ideas, ambitions and experiences are our starting point.

SUSTAINABILITY

Social, economic and environmental sustainability are interconnected. A project must not strengthen the position of women at the expense of the local community, culture, nature or living environment.

TRANSPARENCY

We aim to communicate honestly about results and progress, as well as limitations, dilemmas and what is not yet working well.

STORYTELLING WITH DIGNITY

We only share personal stories with the consent of those involved and with respect for their privacy, safety and dignity. We do not look for the most dramatic story, but for the most honest one.

HOW DO WE ASSESS PROJECTS?

Potential projects are first reviewed in depth by the Advisory Council. Among other things, we consider:

how closely the project aligns with the Foundation’s mission;
its direct contribution to the position of women;
its connection to travel and tourism;
the involvement and decision-making power of local women;
the feasibility of the project and the professionalism of the organisation;
its expected social and economic impact;
how progress and results will be monitored;
any potential risks to the women and communities involved.

The Advisory Council may recommend projects to the Board. The Board ultimately decides which initiatives will be supported and under what conditions.

HOW DO WE CONTRIBUTE?

The SUITSUIT Foundation aims not only to fund projects, but also to help strengthen them. Depending on the project and the needs of the partner, we may also contribute in other ways:

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Providing funding for projects that align with the SUITSUIT Foundation’s mission and objectives.

LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS

Building multi-year relationships so that organisations can work towards lasting change without constantly depending on short-term initiatives.

NETWORKS AND CONNECTIONS

Connecting projects with experts, journalists, civil society organisations, businesses and other partners who may help increase their impact.

VISIBILITY

Providing a platform for women, initiatives and issues that are not seen or heard enough.

STORYTELLING

Documenting stories through written content, photography, documentaries, podcasts and other editorial formats.

AWARENESS

Showing how the choices made by travellers, businesses and other stakeholders can influence the position of women in the tourism sector.

IMPACT & ACCOUNTABILITY

Once a project has been approved, we stay in contact with the organisation. We monitor how our contribution is used, what progress is being made and what challenges arise.

Where possible, we look at tangible outcomes such as:

access to education and professional skills;
opportunities for employment, income and entrepreneurship;
greater social and financial independence;
the continuity of the project;
the wider impact on families and local communities.

Not every form of change can be expressed directly in figures. We therefore combine quantitative results with personal stories and experiences. We share not only what is working well, but also what works less well and what we learn from it.

The SUITSUIT Foundation is made up entirely of volunteers, including board members, the advisory council, and (temporary) staff.