Deadline: 7 June 2016
The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) is seeking applications from eligible organisations for a program entitled “Small Business Regional Training” with an aim to support small business development, enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs, and strengthen regional center capabilities to provide consistent, well-designed technical training to business counselors in Central American SBDCs.
This project will also focus on business advising for women-owned small businesses and promoting women’s entrepreneurship generally in Central America. The estimated total program funding is $990,099.
Objectives
- Improve the institutional capacity and training for business counselors/SBDC staff by developing a standardized training curriculum for counselors and SBDC staff.
- Create a standard accreditation/certification for business counselors and SBDC staff and standard operating procedures for SBDCs based on the training curriculum that ensures Central American SBDCs have high quality, trained personnel who can offer comprehensive business information and counsel to MSMEs.
- Ensure women entrepreneurs receive equal access to opportunities and services at SBDCs by incorporating business advising training specifically focused on the professionalization and mentorship of women entrepreneurs in Central America.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants that are eligible to apply are U.S. based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c) (3) status with the IRS; overseas non-governmental organizations (NGOs); U.S.-based and overseas institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs).
- To be eligible for a grant award, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. Non‐discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
- WHA encourages applications from potential new partners.
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit Small Business Regional Training.