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Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)
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AWE is a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) initiative supporting women entrepreneurs around the world. 

The Academy, in support of the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, equip women with the practical skills needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises. AWE is built around three main goals; to provide online education resources, foster networks that support access to mentorships and connect women through existing exchange programs.

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AWE Program Grant Competition

The U.S. Embassy Nassau’s Public Diplomacy (PD) section announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement a new Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) cohort in Grand Bahama, The Bahamas.  The PD section invites proposals from non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and U.S. government alumni organizations to design and implement an entrepreneurship program that equips approximately 60 Bahamian women entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge to grow their businesses and adapt to adverse economic situations while growing a local network of women-led businesses.

AWE program proposals need to include facilitated in-person and virtual participant sessions, with established Bahamian and American women entrepreneurs, alumni of U.S.-funded exchange programs, and other entrepreneurial experts.  Applicants must include the online DreamBuilder course as part of the proposal.  In addition to DreamBuilder, proposals should include supplemental activities, that could include but not limited to trade fairs, business accelerators, and pitch competitions.  Furthermore, proposals should include plans to support and engage AWE alumnae across The Bahamas.

The program for the new AWE cohort must be held in Grand Bahama, The Bahamas.  AWE Alumnae activities can be held throughout The Bahamas.  All AWE activities should have a strong United States focus and branding.  The U.S. Embassy PD section will work with the awardee in this regard.

Each proposal should meet the following objectives: Expand participants’ understanding of the fundamentals of developing and scaling up a business. Expose participants to U.S. models for business development and connect them with Bahamian and American entrepreneurship experts. Facilitate the development of an ongoing network of female entrepreneurs who can offer support and ongoing best practices while sustaining their relationship with the U.S. Embassy.

For more information on the ideal proposal for this program, please review the following documents:

To apply for this opportunity please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=349463

The application deadline is August 14, 2023, and if you have any questions regarding the proposal, please send an email to nassausmallgrants@state.gov.

We will be having a hybrid information session about the Grant Competition on Thursday, August 03, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. for in-person participants at the American Corner Nassau in the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre at University of The Bahamas and virtual participants can join via Zoomgov. To register for this session please visit https://AWEGrantCompetitionInfoSession.eventbrite.com.

 

Education, Programs