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ACADEMY FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (AWE) 2025 DRC

ID: AF-DRC-PDS-FY25-02 • Type: Posted

Description

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program was established by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to support women entrepreneurs around the world. The AWE program provides female entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to launch and scale businesses within an inclusive learning community. In its third iteration in the DRC, the AWE program will train and enhance the capacity of 100 women entrepreneurs in five cities who have been running businesses for at least one year. The program consists of three phases: completion of an online curriculum (DreamBuilder); interactive sessions with business leaders; and a business plan competition, in which the top 20 participants will pitch their business ideas in Kinshasa. Ten finalists will have the opportunity to travel to Harvard Business School in the United States for advanced training. Through AWE, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa aims to strengthen and professionalize existing entrepreneurial networks by leveraging alumni contacts in five key provinces Alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs will play a central role as primary facilitators, collaborating with local NGOs that focus on sustainable management solutions. These facilitators will engage with participants through the American Spaces network across the country.

Background
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program was established by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to support women entrepreneurs around the world. The AWE program provides female entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to launch and scale businesses within an inclusive learning community. In its third iteration in the DRC, the AWE program will train and enhance the capacity of 100 women entrepreneurs in five cities who have been running businesses for at least one year.

Grant Details
The program consists of three phases:

1) Completion of an online curriculum (DreamBuilder);

2) Interactive sessions with business leaders;

3) A business plan competition where the top 20 participants will pitch their business ideas in Kinshasa. Ten finalists will have the opportunity to travel to Harvard Business School in the United States for advanced training.

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa aims to strengthen and professionalize existing entrepreneurial networks by leveraging alumni contacts in five key provinces. Alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs will serve as primary facilitators, collaborating with local NGOs focused on sustainable management solutions.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, and individuals. For-profit entities are not eligible for this funding opportunity. All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov; individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered.

Period of Performance
The performance period is expected to be 9 months, starting in Spring 2025.

Grant Value
The total available funding is $35,000, with individual awards up to $35,000.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed across five cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Kinshasa, Goma, Lubumbashi, Bukavu, and Kisangani.

Overview

Category of Funding
Other (see text field entitled "Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity" for clarification)
Funding Instruments
Cooperative Agreement
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
On 12/31/24 the Department of State posted grant opportunity AF-DRC-PDS-FY25-02 for ACADEMY FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (AWE) 2025 DRC with funding of $35,000. The grant will be issued under grant program 19.022 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Appropriation Overseas Grants. It is expected that one grant will be made worth between $35,000 and $35,000.

Timing

Posted Date
Dec. 31, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EST
Closing Date
Feb. 17, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EST Due in 10 Days
Last Updated
Dec. 31, 2024, 10:29 a.m. EST
Version
2
Archive Date
March 19, 2025

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
The following organizations are eligible to apply: • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations • Public and private educational institutions • Individuals For profit entities are not eligible for this funding opportunity.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$35,000
Floor
$35,000
Estimated Program Funding
$35,000
Estimated Number of Grants
1

Contacts

Contact
Eric Mwenze Grantor
Email Description
For Inquiries
Contact Phone
00243972621456

Documents

Posted documents for AF-DRC-PDS-FY25-02

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