NOFO: Academy of Women Enterpreneurs in Slovakia

Objectives

• The U.S. Embassy in Bratislava is soliciting proposals aimed at advancing women’s economic opportunities and equipping women with the capabilities and resources needed to participate in the economy through the Academy of Women Entrepreneurship (AWE).
• AWE seeks to bring together a cohort of approximately 30 women who will meet both online and in-person to learn core business skills, including strategic planning, marketing, and finance. The program utilizes the no-cost, online learning platform DreamBuilder, which teaches participants the fundamentals of starting or growing a small business from a U.S. perspective. DreamBuilder offers modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and includes a built-in business plan generator. The female participants discuss the modules with local facilitators, business leaders, and U.S. exchange alumni mentors.
• AWE strongly encourages applicants to partner with local NGOs, universities, and chambers of commerce for this program to offer women the opportunity to amplify their newly learned business skills and network with other businesspeople through speed mentoring, pitch competitions, and entrepreneurship fairs.
• Proposals must use DreamBuilder for their curriculum. Successful proposals also demonstrate strong engagement of U.S. exchange alumni, female expert speakers, and women business leaders, including those with connections to the United States, and include site visits to successful female-led businesses to offer inspiration and experience.

Funding Information

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $35,000
• Total available funding: $35,000
• Length of performance period: 8 to 12 months
• Number of awards anticipated: Up to 1 award (dependent on amounts).

Target Audiences

• The U.S. Embassy in Bratislava seeks proposals targeting aspiring women entrepreneurs, women in their first years of business, and unemployed women with university degrees and English proficiency. The program is open to women across all business sectors. They encourage applicants to focus on women entrepreneurs from eastern Slovakia regions, spanning both urban and rural areas. These may include, but are not limited to, women entrepreneurs from under-represented communities, such as the Roma minority, Ukrainian refugees, and other minority groups.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations based in the Slovak Republic, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations; public and private educational institutions.

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