The Empower Innovation Challenge (EIC) is a program that provides training and financing opportunities to women entrepreneurs in the green and blue economies, emphasizing the following sectors: agriculture, agri-food, fishing, tourism, manufacturing (eg crafts, wood or textiles) and services (eg microfinancing, business development, etc.).small grants’ project activities will support innovative local solutions for women-led small businesses and their employees in the green and blue economies and increase capacity to address systemic gender barriers to sustainable economic growth in their communities.
The main objective of the Challenge is to ensure that “Women-led SMEs have experienced greater capacity to address systematic gender barriers to sustainable economic growth in the blue and green economies of the LAC region”, so it is expected that Project proposals include several key topics in their implementation plan:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Legally registered organization.
- Knowledge/experience of at least 2 years in one of the industrial sectors you will help (demonstrate access to micro enterprises or small producers through your work in the sector).
- Experience in collaborations with the private sector, NGOs, government, providing assistance to micro enterprises and cooperation programs.
- Experience of more than 3 years in the execution of programs in the proposed areas.
- Permanent formal presence in the country to execute the project activities (Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Peru).
- Project Objective Beneficiaries: Companies led by women and/or civil society organizations led by women.
- Project proposals should include support for training in business skills and capabilities for women entrepreneurs.
HOW TO APPLY
visit World Environment Center (WEC).
