Noor Hafizah binti Haji Rashid

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Starting Point

Noorhafizah binti Haji Rashid: In 2015, she founded the 'Big BWN Project' an initiative that focuses on empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs through community development efforts in Brunei Darussalam. In 2020, she was recognized as a YSEALI Hero for raising donations for necessities required by the frontliners and launching an initiative and PSA to support small businesses (SMEs) and provide support to those whose income are affected by the COVID-19. Her Big Begawan (BigBWN) Project was appointed to conduct training on digital literacy and business in Brunei for the ASEAN-wide initiative that hopes to train 200,000 individuals regionally through a US$3.3 million grant from Google’s philanthropic arm Google.org. under the Go Digital ASEAN initiative.

Peace Journey

“My work focuses on youth and community development, particularly through the Big Begawan Project, which encompasses various initiatives aimed at empowering women and youth. One of our key programs is the Brunei Womenpreneur Network, where we provide platforms for women entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow. We also run initiatives like Women Innovation Brunei and the Young Entrepreneur Project, focusing on equipping women with the skills they need to succeed in business and become more self-reliant.

“A notable recent project is our collaboration with the ASEAN-Korean Fund, where we train women in digitising their businesses. This initiative helps them develop financial independence by teaching digital marketing, business planning, and financial management. Through programs

like Go Digital, we’ve reached over 600 women across rural and urban areas, helping them leverage digital tools to enhance their businesses. Many of these women are breadwinners, and this program equips them to provide for their families while reducing reliance on government assistance.

“For youth, we conduct capacity-building projects in schools, teaching leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. Programs like Belia Pintar Cyber focus on educating children about cyber safety, disinformation, and responsible digital citizenship. These initiatives aim to address emerging challenges, particularly in the digital era, while fostering independence and resilience among young people.”

Success Stories

“Women bring empathy, resilience, and lived experiences that make them effective leaders and mentors. For example, by mentoring women entrepreneurs through programs like IDEAS, I help them develop confidence and skills to navigate the challenges of running a business. Their success inspires others and creates a network of support that benefits entire communities.