NOFO: Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (Cohort II) – Cambodia

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a global program that provides resources to promote women’s social and economic empowerment. By ensuring that women have the professional skills, knowledge, networks, and access to fully participate in the economy, AWE directly supports the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. Since the launch of the program, AWE has empowered more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs with nearly 100 cohorts worldwide.

AWE was established globally in 2019 to provide women with the professional skills, knowledge, networks, and access to launch or scale successful businesses. Cohorts of approximately 25-30 women meet online and in-person to learn core business skills such as strategic planning, marketing, and finance, then discuss the material with local facilitators, business leaders, and U.S. exchange alumni mentors. Through its partnerships with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School for Global Management, AWE utilizes no-cost, online learning platform DreamBuilder.

This second cohort in Cambodia will target 30 women entrepreneurs with one to three years of business experience in Cambodia. Non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and U.S. government alumni organizations are encouraged to apply to design and implement the program. Applicants should assign a facilitator for each regional grouping, as appropriate, to oversee the progress of the women entrepreneurs and to conduct local sessions to build their network.

Goals

• As part of the AWE program, selected participants will have access to the DreamBuilder platform, a user-friendly and easy-to-use online course that reinforces entrepreneurship components. They participate in directed lessons related to business management and, in addition, they can connect with networks of companies, women entrepreneurs and mentors who share the same perspective in their own regions and in the United States.
• AWE program proposals need to include facilitated in-person and virtual participant sessions with established Cambodian and American women entrepreneurs, alumni of U.S.-funded exchange programs, and other entrepreneurial experts. Applicants must include the online DreamBuilder course as part of the proposal. In addition to DreamBuilder, proposals should include supplemental activities, that could include but are not limited to trade fairs, training, business accelerators, and pitch competitions. Furthermore, proposals should include plans to support and engage AWE alumni upon the completion of the program.
• Each proposal should meet the following objectives:
  • Expand participants’ understanding of the fundamentals of developing and scaling up a business.
  • Expose participants to U.S. and Cambodian models for business development and connect them with Cambodian and American entrepreneurship experts.
• Facilitate the development of an ongoing network of female entrepreneurs who can offer support and ongoing best practices while sustaining their relationship with the U.S. Embassy.

Funding Information

• Award amounts: $35000
• Length of performance period: Approximately 10 months
• Anticipated program start date: June 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
  • Programs relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable or development activities;
  • Construction programs;
  • Programs that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
  • Scientific research;
  • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
  • Programs that duplicate existing programs.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Cambodia.