The EWASME Program (Women and Medium Enterprises Empowerment in the Rice Value Chain) supports women-owned and women-managed enterprises in post-harvest rice processing, storage, and marketing. It strengthens technical skills, financing access, market participation, and gender equality through community mobilization and advocacy. The program invites qualified NGOs to lead awareness efforts, challenge social barriers, and promote long-term economic empowerment for women in rice-producing regions.

EWASME Program: Empowering Women-Led Enterprises in the Rice Value Chain

Overview of the EWASME Program

The Women and Medium Enterprises Empowerment in the Rice Value Chain (EWASME) program is a gender-focused development initiative designed to increase women’s participation, leadership and economic power in the rice value chain.
It targets women-led SMEs and micro-enterprises, particularly in post-harvest operations such as:

• Rice processing

• Storage

• Packaging

• Marketing and distribution

The program runs for a 12-month implementation period and aims to strengthen at least 1,000 women-led enterprises by improving their technical capacity, business growth opportunities and access to markets and finance.

Key Program Goals

1. Enhance Post-Harvest Technical Capacity

• Training in rice processing technologies

• Improved storage practices

• Quality control and product standardization

• Market-oriented packaging and branding

2. Strengthen Business Competitiveness

• Financial literacy and access to financing

• Market linkage support

• Commercial readiness and business planning

3. Address Gender Barriers and Social Norms

EWASME incorporates a strong gender-transformative approach, working to shift structural barriers that limit women’s participation.
Key focus areas include:

• Advocacy for women’s access to land

• Promoting leadership roles for women

• Community dialogues on gender equality

• Challenging discriminatory social norms

Why It Matters

A significant share of the rice post-harvest workforce consists of women, yet they often face limited access to:

• Productive assets

• Financial services

• Decision-making roles

• Market networks
  The program helps reduce these gaps and fosters inclusive, resilient and equitable rice sector development.

Who Is Eligible?

NGOs must meet the following requirements to apply:

Organizational Eligibility

• Legally registered NGO

• Minimum 5 years of experience in:

  • Gender equality

  • Women’s economic empowerment

  • Community mobilization

  • Rural development

• Strong working relationships with:

  • Traditional leaders

  • Women’s groups

  • Local authorities

• Active operational presence in the targeted regions

• Proven capacity in facilitation, awareness raising and training

Team Requirements

Each applying NGO must commit at least three technical experts, including:

1. Team Leader (mandatory)

2. Two gender/community specialists

Team Leader Requirements

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in gender-focused community or development initiatives

• Strong communication and coordination skills

• Proven ability to work with: UNDP, government partners, community leaders

• Deep understanding of local cultural norms, especially women’s rights and land access

• Fluency in French and one local language

How the Program Works

1. Enterprise Support

• Capacity-building workshops

• Technical training on rice post-harvest operations

• Mentorship for SMEs and MEEs

• Tools for improving productivity and market readiness

2. Social Advocacy and Gender Transformation

• Community mobilization sessions

• Gender equality awareness campaigns

• Inclusive dialogues involving men, elders and youth

• Work with traditional leaders to encourage acceptance of women’s economic roles

3. Ecosystem Strengthening

• Facilitating access to finance

• Connecting enterprises with buyers and cooperatives

• Creating enabling conditions for sustainable SME growth

How to Apply

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Confirm your NGO meets registration, experience and team requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Documentation
Include:

• Organizational profile

• Evidence of experience

• Team CVs

• Proof of operations in target areas

• Letters of collaboration with local groups (if available)

Step 3: Develop Proposal
Highlight:

• Approach to community mobilization

• Strategy to challenge gender norms

• Methods to support women-led enterprises

• Capacity-building plan and expected impact

Step 4: Submit Application
Follow the instructions provided by the EWASME program’s coordinating body or UNDP implementing partners.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals without gender-transformative elements

• Failing to demonstrate local presence or buy-in from community leaders

• Providing incomplete team qualifications

• Proposing activities unrelated to rice post-harvest value chain

• Underestimating the importance of advocacy and social norm change

FAQ

1. What types of enterprises does EWASME support?

Women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises working in rice post-harvest processing, storage and marketing.

2. Is the program only for NGOs?

Yes, only legally registered NGOs with relevant experience can apply to lead the community mobilization and gender advocacy components.

3. How long is the program?

The initiative runs for a 12-month mission period.

4. What languages are required for the Team Leader?

Fluency in French and at least one local language is mandatory.

5. How many experts must each NGO provide?

A minimum of three technical staff, including a Team Leader and two specialists.

6. Does the program provide funding to women-owned businesses directly?

The NGO-led activities indirectly support businesses through training, capacity building and market access, but direct financing may vary by region.

7. What makes a proposal competitive?

Strong gender expertise, clear community engagement methods, local partnerships and a robust plan for supporting women-led SMEs.

Conclusion

The EWASME Program offers a high-impact opportunity for NGOs committed to gender equality and economic development. By combining enterprise support, community advocacy and capacity building, the program aims to transform the rice value chain into a more inclusive and equitable sector. Eligible organizations that apply can play a pivotal role in empowering women, strengthening rural economies and shaping long-term cultural change in rice-producing communities.