The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Slovakia

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Bratislava of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to promote women’s social and economic empowerment and provide enterprising women with knowledge, networks, and access to launch and scale successful businesses. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: Eastern Slovakia Program 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.