Deadline: 03-Jun-2026
The Supporting the Economic Empowerment of Women programme aims to improve women’s access to jobs, finance, and markets in Yemen through large-scale grants of €2.5M–€5M.
The initiative focuses on skills development, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and trade linkages, targeting systemic barriers that limit women’s economic participation.
Overview of the Programme
This funding programme is designed to address the ongoing economic crisis in Yemen by promoting women’s economic empowerment and inclusion.
It supports large-scale, impact-driven projects that improve employment opportunities, financial access, and market integration for women.
The programme adopts a gender-transformative and human rights-based approach, ensuring inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities.
Funding Details
- Total Budget: €5,000,000
- Grant Size: €2,500,000 – €5,000,000
- Co-financing: Covers 50% to 90% of total project costs
- Project Type: Large-scale development interventions
Core Objectives
1. Job Creation and Skills Development
- Create dignified employment opportunities for women
- Provide gender-responsive skills training
- Focus on high-growth sectors:
2. Financial Inclusion
- Improve access to financial services
- Promote digital financial tools and literacy
- Support women-led enterprises
- Strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks
3. Market Access and Trade Linkages
- Connect women-led businesses to:
- European Union markets
- Middle East and Gulf regions
- Strengthen business networks and partnerships
- Enhance competitiveness and export readiness
Context: Why This Programme is Needed
Yemen faces a prolonged economic crisis, marked by:
- Declining GDP
- High inflation
- Disrupted livelihoods and services
Impact on Women
Women are disproportionately affected due to:
- Limited access to education and finance
- Restricted mobility
- Low participation in formal employment
- Structural gender inequalities
This programme directly addresses these systemic barriers.
Key Programme Components
Skills Development and Employment
- Market-driven training programmes
- Entrepreneurship support
- Digital and financial literacy initiatives
Financial Systems Strengthening
- Access to banking and digital finance
- Community-based savings groups
- Partnerships with financial institutions
Trade and Market Integration
- Business matchmaking and partnerships
- Export promotion for women-led enterprises
- Regional and international collaboration
Cross-Cutting Priorities
The programme integrates:
- Gender equality
- Human rights-based approaches
- Youth participation
- Disability inclusion
Special Focus
- Women and girls with disabilities
- Marginalized and underserved groups
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Private sector entities
- International organizations
Key Requirements
- Must be a legally registered entity
- Strong capacity to implement large-scale projects
- Ability to form partnerships (as required)
- Experience in gender, economic development, or related fields
What Projects Must Include
Projects should:
- Create sustainable employment opportunities
- Address barriers to women’s economic participation
- Include financial inclusion strategies
- Demonstrate clear pathways to market access
- Align with cross-cutting priorities (gender, inclusion, rights)
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify a project aligned with programme objectives
- Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders
- Develop a detailed proposal and budget
- Ensure co-financing requirements are met
- Submit the application through the official call
- Await evaluation based on impact, feasibility, and relevance
What Makes a Strong Proposal
- Clear focus on women’s economic empowerment
- Strong linkage between training, jobs, and markets
- Scalable and sustainable approach
- Inclusion of marginalized groups
- Robust monitoring and evaluation framework
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposals lacking clear employment outcomes
- Weak integration of financial inclusion
- Ignoring market demand in skills training
- Insufficient focus on inclusion and gender equality
- عدم meeting co-financing requirements
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is critical because it:
- Addresses systemic gender inequalities
- Supports economic recovery in Yemen
- Empowers women through sustainable livelihoods
- Strengthens local and regional economies
- Promotes inclusive and equitable development
It contributes to long-term economic resilience and social stability.
FAQs
1. What is the total budget for the programme?
€5,000,000.
2. What is the grant size?
Between €2,500,000 and €5,000,000.
3. Who can apply?
NGOs, private sector entities, and international organizations.
4. What sectors are prioritized?
Agritech, clean energy, digital services, and entrepreneurship.
5. Is co-financing required?
Yes, projects must cover 10% to 50% of costs.
6. Does the programme support women with disabilities?
Yes, disability inclusion is a key priority.
7. What is the main goal?
To improve women’s access to jobs, finance, and markets in Yemen.
Conclusion
The Supporting the Economic Empowerment of Women programme offers a significant opportunity to drive transformative change in Yemen’s economy.
By combining skills development, financial inclusion, and market access, it enables women to overcome systemic barriers and participate meaningfully in economic growth and recovery.
For more information, visit European Commission (EC).