The U.S. Embassy and Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum announce The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Program
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“AWE is a great opportunity for women entrepreneurs across South Africa to gain university-level business and management training, strengthen their networks, and grow as entrepreneurs.” said Embassy Public Affairs Officer MaureenMimnaugh.She noted that “particularly in a post-COVID world, the tools for successfulentrepreneurshipwill be more important than ever, and this program aims to support women in a recovering economy of innovation.”
AWE is an initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) as part of the White House-led Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative which aims to empower 50 million women worldwide by 2025 to fulfill their economic potential, with the goal of creating conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all.Currently implemented in more than 50 countries, AWE supports the growth of women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the practical skills, resources, mentorship, and networks needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises. AWE is centered aroundDreamBuilder, an online training platform for women’s entrepreneurship developed by the Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management in partnership with the global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan.
IreneOchem, AWIEF founder and chief executive officer, said“We are excited that the U.S.Embassy in Pretoria has partnered with AWIEF to implement this important program tailored for women’s economic empowerment. Participating in the AWE program will not only help the selected 125 female entrepreneurs, but will also benefit their families, their communities, and the economic development of South Africa”.
The 8-month-long AWEprogram will take place at American Spaces in five South African cities: Durban/Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town.South African women entrepreneurs are invited to apply until September 30, 2020. Application details are below.
Call for applications
Applicationsare invitedfrom motivated and self-driven female entrepreneurs for the AWE South Africa 2020 program. Entries will close on 30September 2020. Application is of no cost to the applicant at any stage. Selected candidates will receive no-cost entry to the program which includes:
- Enrolment in theDreamBuilderplatform and expert facilitated virtual and in-person business management training and mentorship sessions
- Networking and peer learning opportunity with like-minded entrepreneurs
- Acollaboratively developed and refineddraft of yourbusinessplan
- ADreamBuildercertificateafter completing the program
- Premium membership to the AWIEF Community
- A delegate pass to the AWIEF2020 Virtual Conference, 2 - 3 December 2020
- Access to a robust network of support, including follow-on opportunities, potential funders, and a vast network of like-minded entrepreneurs across the country.
Eligibility criteria
- Womenbetween 21 and 35years of age and fluent in English
- Resident in one of the five AWE 2020 South Africa Cities: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban/Pietermaritzburg,Johannesburgand Pretoria
- Must either have a feasible business idea or have been in business for no more than 2 years
- Ability to participate in weekly group sessions and must be able to commit5+ hoursweekly to accomplish designated tasks
- Computer literacy andaccess to acomputer
To submit your application for the AWE South Africa 2020 program, please follow this link:http://bit.ly/AWIEF_AWEinSouthAfrica
Application deadline is 30 September 2020.Applications will only be accepted through the link above.
For more information email: info@awieforum.org
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
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