Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2025

Description

1) Objective

The U.S. Embassy in Cameroon announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement the 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Cameroon. AWE is a U.S. Department of State-led initiative around the globe to support gender equity and equality by promoting women’s economic opportunities and giving enterprising women the knowledge, networks, and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses.

The U.S. Embassy Yaoundé Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites proposals to design and implement an export-focused AWE cohort in Cameroon to support Mission Goals of strengthening economic ties between Cameroon and the United States of America, and supporting women entrepreneurs. This specialized program will provide a six-month training program in the summer or fall of 2025 to train 50 women business owners in product quality enhancement, export compliance, and U.S. market entry strategies. The program will leverage Thunderbird’s 100 Million Learners platform, complemented by specialized workshops on U.S. FDA regulations, USDA requirements, packaging best practices and export compliance procedures. The program will culminate in an “AWE Alumni Trade Fair and Export Forum.” This targeted approach aims to create a pipeline of export-ready women-led businesses in Cameroon.

2) Eligibility

PDS encourages applications from Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks, community associations, and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience; Alumni of U.S. government exchange programs; Non-profit media organizations; Professional trade organizations; Non-profit or governmental educational institutions; Private educational institutions.

3) Location

Actions must take place in Cameroon.

4) Budget

Individual awards will range from $25,000 to $35,000.

5) Application

The application deadline is 12 January 2025.