NOFO: Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Program (Jordan)

Deadline: 6-Jul-24

The U.S. Mission to Jordan is inviting applications for its Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Program to drive inclusive economic growth and build the capacity of 24 women-led and owned experiential tourism businesses.

The program will focus on growing participants’ business offerings and expanding their ability to promote sustainable and community-led experiential tourism (particularly in the eco-tourism and adventure tourism). It aims to achieve this by incubating 12 existing experiential tourism small businesses and 12 emerging experiential tourism small businesses through a tailored six-month program that targets a total of 24 women entrepreneurs from 12 governorates and utilizes a Training of Trainers (TOT) capacity building model.

The program will be implemented in two cohorts over a period of six months, with staggered start dates to facilitate effective program management as well as provide a platform for knowledge transfer and skills development. The structure of the program will be as follows:

Cohort 1: two months, with a total of 8 training sessions taking place on Saturdays
Cohort 2: two months, with a total of 8 training sessions taking place on Saturdays
Intensive bootcamp for all program participants
Final showcase and pitch competition

The implementer should use a hybrid model of online and in-person sessions to accommodate the diverse needs of geographically dispersed participants. The focus will be on maximizing in- person engagements, collaboration, and networking opportunities at partner locations, as well as locations of the businesses led by the participants across Jordan.

Focus Areas

The program should use DreamBuilder as the primary online training platform. Trainers will leverage DreamBuilder at all training sessions with a focus on building the capacity of the participants in the following areas:
- Business Acumen
  - Train the participants on topics in entrepreneurship, experiential tourism, and related fields
  - Workshops on marketing, branding, and pitching
  - Workshops on supply chain management and product development
- Mentorship and Coaching
  - Pair experienced women entrepreneurs with mentees for one-on-one guidance.
  - Provide coaching sessions to address specific business challenges and foster personal growth.
  - Organize group mentorship meetings to encourage networking and mutual learning.
- Access to Finance and Microgrants
  - Workshops on financial management for MSMEs
  - Collaborate with local financial institutions to educate the participants about funding options.
  - Establish a microgrant program to provide seed funding for the top three business ideas pitched in the final showcase event.
    - $5,000.00 – Seed fund/microgrant given to 1st place winner after the pitch at the final showcase event
    - $3,000.00 – Seed fund/microgrant given to 2nd place winner after the pitch at the final showcase event
    - $2,000.00 – Seed fund/microgrant given to 3rd place winner after the pitch at the final showcase event
  - Assist entrepreneurs in preparing funding proposals and connecting with investors/donors.

Funding Information

Total available funding: $39,976
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $39,976.00
Length of performance period: 6 to 10 months

Participants and Audiences

12 existing experiential tourism small businesses and 12 emerging experiential tourism small businesses for a total of 24 women entrepreneurs

Eligibility Criteria

The following U.S. or Jordanian organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations.
- Public and private educational institutions

For more information, visit Grants.gov.