NOFO: Implementation of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (Tajikistan)

The AWE program, established by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019, aims to provide women with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to launch or scale successful businesses. By promoting women’s economic opportunities and ensuring that women have the capabilities and resources to participate in the economy, the AWE program directly supports the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.

Goals

• Increase participation of women entrepreneurs in Tajikistan’s GBAO and Khatlon regions’ local economy by offering a U.S.-style online education facilitated and localized by State Department exchange alumni and local partners. The project aims to foster networks for peer-to-peer mentorship, business partnerships, and scale opportunities with regional and U.S. businesses.

Objectives

• Project proposals may address one or more of the project themes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate all the objectives listed under a selected theme.
  • Empower Women Entrepreneurs through Training and Skills Development
    • Improve women entrepreneurs’ confidence and motivation in pursuing and growing their businesses, as measured by 90% improvement in self-reported confidence levels by the end of the training.
    • Increase the ability of women to create and grow their businesses, resulting in 50% of participants launching a registered business or scaling up their business within 6 months of completing the program.
    • Promote the use of technology and digital tools among women entrepreneurs, resulting in at least 90% of participants actively using two or more digital tools in their businesses Digital tools include but are not limited to: e-commerce platforms, social media marketing, financial management software, and more).
  • Enhance Awareness and Access to Business Opportunities and Funding
    • Increase women entrepreneurs’ awareness and knowledge of business opportunities in Tajikistan, resulting in at least 90% of participants applying for at least one business opportunity within three months of completing the training.
    • Increase the capacity of 15-20 of women entrepreneurs to apply for funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and investments, resulting in at least 50% of participants applying for funding within six months of completing the training and 50% of participants receiving funding approval to fuel their business growth.

Funding Information

• Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $35,000.
• Number of awards anticipated: 1
• Length of performance period: 6 to 12 months.

Target Audiences

• Women aged 18 to 45.
• Women from Khatlon or GBAO regions.
• Holding high school and/or university degrees.
• Approximately 1-2 years of business experience.’
• Motivation to start or scale a long-term business or entrepreneurial activity.
• From diverse backgrounds in GBAO or Khatlon regions of Tajikistan.
• Minimum intermediate computer skills.
• Proven leadership experience.
• Ideally experience volunteering in local communities.
• Some English proficiency preferred, but not required.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following not for profit organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Public and private educational institutions

Ineligibility Criteria

• For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO.

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