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Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, FY2025

ID: PDS-002-FY2025 • Type: Posted

Description

A global initiative, AWE provides resources to support the social and economic empowerment of women including the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to compete in the Ethiopian and global economy. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, and public international organizations and governmental institutions. Cost-sharing or matching funding is not required.

Note: We strongly encourage applicants to incorporate digital literacy training into their FY2025 AWE program proposals to enhance participants' technical skills and digital access.

ECA launched AWE in 2019 to help women develop the skills and networks needed to start and grow businesses. Participants learn skills like strategic planning, marketing, and finance through online and in-person sessions, with guidance from business leaders and U.S. exchange alumni mentors. In partnership with Arizona State University's Thunderbird School for Global Management, AWE uses no-cost platforms like DreamBuilder and the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative to deliver course content.

DreamBuilder, created by ASU and Freeport-McMoRan, offers modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, plus a business plan generator. Available in English and Spanish, it supports local language mentoring; the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative available in 40 languages, provides a more advanced curriculum on entrepreneurship and innovation. Proposals must choose either DreamBuilder or 100 Million Learners for their curriculum.

The proposals should meet the following objectives:

Increase participants' understanding of business planning and scaling up operations

Connect participants with U.S.-based business experts and share U.S. models of running enterprises

Build a network of female entrepreneurs that is committed to supporting and promoting relationships that help grow businesses and drive local partnerships, and

Equip participants with skills and knowledge to build sustainable businesses.

Applicants are encouraged to include digital skills and English language training in their proposals.

Applicants are encouraged to train startups, beginner entrepreneurs, and mid-career entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa and other major regional cities where the U.S. Embassy maintains American Corners, including Jimma, Dire Dawa, Mekelle, and Bahir Dar.

Background
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a global initiative launched by the U.S. Department of State's Public Diplomacy Section in 2019. It aims at empowering women through resources that support their social and economic development. The program focuses on providing women with the skills, networks, and opportunities necessary to thrive in both the Ethiopian and global economies. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, public and private educational institutions, and governmental institutions. The program encourages the inclusion of digital literacy training to enhance participants' technical skills.

Grant Details
The AWE program aims to help women develop essential business skills through online and in-person sessions led by business leaders and U.S. exchange alumni mentors. Participants will learn about strategic planning, marketing, finance, and more. Proposals must choose between two curriculum platforms: DreamBuilder or the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative. The objectives of the proposals include:
- Increasing understanding of business planning;
- Connecting participants with U.S.-based business experts;
- Building a supportive network of female entrepreneurs;
- Equipping participants with sustainable business skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to incorporate digital skills and English language training into their proposals.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, individuals, and public international organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov. Cost-sharing is not required.

Period of Performance
The project performance period is expected to be 12 months, with an anticipated project start date in May 2025.

Grant Value
The total available funding for this grant opportunity is $35,000, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $35,000.

Place of Performance
The program will be implemented in Addis Ababa and other major regional cities where the U.S. Embassy maintains American Corners, including Jimma, Dire Dawa, Mekelle, and Bahir Dar.

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 12/16/24 the Department of State posted grant opportunity PDS-002-FY2025 for Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, FY2025 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 $15,000 and $35,000.

Timing

Posted Date
Dec. 16, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EST
Closing Date
Jan. 23, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EST Past Due
Last Updated
Dec. 16, 2024, 1:50 a.m. EST
Version
2
Archive Date
Feb. 23, 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/non-governmental organizations ● Public and private educational institutions ● Individuals ● Public international organizations and governmental institutions For-profit or commercial entities, including for-profit media organizations, are not eligible to apply. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:a. Programs relating to partisan political activity b. Charitable or development activities c. Construction programs d. Programs that support specific religious activities e. Fund-raising campaigns f. Lobbying for specific legislation or programs g. Scientific research h. Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; ori. Programs that duplicate existing programs.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$35,000
Floor
$15,000
Estimated Program Funding
$35,000
Estimated Number of Grants
1

Contacts

Contact
Betesaida A Teklemariam Grantor
Contact Email
Email Description
For Inquiries
Contact Phone
251911871980

Documents

Posted documents for PDS-002-FY2025

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