Deadline: 28-Nov-21
The Public Diplomacy Sections of the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona (referred to collectively as “PD Spain”) announce an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program for participants in Spain.
Objectives
- Entrepreneurship is a means to respond to new economic challenges, create jobs, and fight social and financial exclusion. The goal of this project is to share lessons and practices from the United States with new businesses operating in the Spanish entrepreneurial ecosystems and prepare them for potential collaboration with U.S. clients, customers, and investors. The project also aims to empower women entrepreneurs in Spain to fulfill their economic potential, and in doing so, create conditions for a more prosperous society
- The objective of the project is to engage English-speaking Spanish or non U.S. foreign resident female entrepreneurs in Spain with different profiles and backgrounds in an educational program to equip them with the skills needed for the successful development of their business ideas.
Responsibilities of the Awardee
The awardee will be responsible for:
- The recruitment of AWE participants aged between 20 and 45, who have recently started a business or have demonstrated interest and progress in developing an entrepreneurial idea. Selected participants should feel comfortable speaking in English, have computer literacy, and be willing to commit up to 7 hours a week for participation in the AWE Spain program.
- The design, publication, and promotion of the call for applications through traditional and/or social media platforms and organizational networks that will maximize the number of women reached.
- Review applications and preselect program participants. The awardee will organize and conduct final interviews for selection of participants and alternates. The awardee may determine additional selection criteria beyond the basic eligibility parameters.
- Designing the format, locations, target regions/audiences, number of cohorts and participants per cohort, within the established framework, as well as the overall coordination and logistics of the project.
- Structure partnerships with entities, experts, NGOs, foundations, or academic institutions for enrichment of the program. The awardee may identify joint programming opportunities to maximize the project impact.
- Adequate staffing of facilitated AWE events and relevant travel arrangements.
- The awardee may propose additional, country-specific teaching modules to complement the DreamBuilder course. These additional modules should target relevant specific challenges faced by Spanish entrepreneurs.
- The recruitment and selection of at least two entrepreneurs or business leaders who will act as facilitators and will coordinate and be in charge of all logistics all virtual and in-person gatherings that will follow the completion of each DreamBuilder module. These facilitators will become mentors and trainers of the AWE participants.
- Identify and provide an appropriate AWE location with sufficient space and internet bandwidth.
- Monitor attendance and participation of AWE beneficiaries, maintaining regular communication with the participants to troubleshoot and resolve any unexpected issue.
- Report program’s progress to PD Spain in a timely fashion, per guidelines and reporting periods identified in the award.
- Execute a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Plan consisting of a series of data collection and assessment activities during the program, and after the program completion to evaluate the effectiveness of this AWE Spain program.
- PD Spain welcomes proposals which incorporate participants of former AWE programs in Spain or ECA Alumni in their projects.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $90,000 (Subject to availability of funds)
- Award amount: Up to approximately $15,000 per cohort, plus follow-on activities
- Length of performance period: A maximum of 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: A range of 1 to 4 awards
- Number of Participants per cohort: A minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30
Priority Region: Project activities may take place in any Spanish city or rural area.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations registered in Spain are eligible to apply:
- Registered public or private non-profit organizations, such as business associations, foundations, and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience.
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions; and
- Governmental institutions
- For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
- U.S. or third-country organizations are not eligible for a grant under this program unless in partnership with a Spanish entity.
- Applicants must have organizational representation (i.e. an existing office) in Spain.
- Organizations with extensive experience in business or entrepreneurship and with an established network, all preferably in Spain, will have priority among applicants.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336307