Deadline: 15 April 2019
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy South Africa of the U.S. Department of State has announced an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a training program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and The University of Arizona.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is an educational opportunity for potential women entrepreneurs that uses a facilitated Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called DreamBuilder as the core training curriculum. AWE participants will engage in facilitated lessons on business management and network with like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors from their regions and the United States. Led by an in-person course facilitator, participants will learn how to create business plans, hire staff, and research the market for their product or service. Participants will gather in person to view each DreamBuilder session (ten in total) and/or to discuss the topic after each participant views the session online. Facilitators selected in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will lead the in-person discussions and serve as mentors for the participants. The implementing partner will also be expected to organize a prelaunch training program for facilitators throughout South Africa, to occur in Johannesburg.
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria seeks an implementing partner to establish and manage the training program and to design a follow-on engagement strategy for participants.
Program Objectives
- Overarching Goal: Promote prosperity and good governance
- Program Objectives:
- Provide a resource for women entrepreneurs to engage in online education with guided facilitation and localization;
- Foster networks that support participants’ access to peer-to-peer mentorship, business partners, and scaling opportunities with businesses in the region and in the United States;
- Provide access to a range of educational programs tailored to women’s economic empowerment to expand the effects of participation.
Participants and Audiences
- Female participants
- Ages 18 – 35
- South African citizen or legal resident
- Resident in urban, semi-urban, and semi-rural areas of Gauteng, Bloemfontein, and Western Cape
- Aspiring entrepreneurs with a viable business idea, or who have already-existing businesses
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 4 to 12 months
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $24,000 to a maximum of $30,000
- Total expected funding: $30,000
Eligible Applicants
- The following United States and South African organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations;
- Public and private educational institutions.
- Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost-sharing is encouraged but not required.
How to Apply
Application forms must be submitted via email at the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=313761