Join the EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge: Supporting Somali Women Entrepreneurs

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About EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge 2024

Young entrepreneurs with promising social enterprise ideas often face challenges in accessing the resources needed to bring their visions to life. The UNFPA-supported EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge aims to bridge this gap by providing crucial support, stimulation, and capacity building for female-led social enterprises in Somalia. This initiative not only offers financial grants but also fosters close collaboration to ensure the success and growth of these enterprises.

• Sponsor Organisation: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Benefits of EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge 2024

The EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge allocates grants ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 to support three selected social enterprises operating in Somalia. However, this support extends beyond mere financial aid. Successful applicants will engage in a rigorous collaboration with UNFPA, receiving guidance and resources to help them scale their impact.

This investment is directed at empowering bright leaders with innovative ideas focused on ending harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM). By investing in these social enterprises, UNFPA is also investing in the communities they aim to improve.

 

EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge 2024 Requirements

To be considered for the EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Citizenship: Must be a Somali citizen.
• Ownership: The business must be female-owned, with owners aged between 18 and 30 years old.
• Mindset: Applicants must demonstrate an agile growth and learning mindset.
• Innovation: The business idea must be innovative and address the priority areas of ending FGM and CEFM.
• Availability: Applicants must be available to attend all days of the Bootcamp from June 9th to June 13th, 2024, and the pitching contest on June 18th, 2024.
• Commitment: If selected for seed funding, applicants must commit to a three-month incubation period (July to September) to implement their ideas.
• Showcase Willingness: Applicants must be willing to showcase their ideas through communication platforms determined by UNFPA.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply for this opportunity.

Here is the timeline for the EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge:

• Information Session: A virtual information session will be held on May 21st, 2024, from 10 AM to 12 PM.
• Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted in English by 11:59 PM on June 2, 2024.
• Shortlisting: Shortlisting of candidates will take place on June 3, 2024.
• Interviews: Interviews with shortlisted candidates will occur from June 4, 2024, to June 5, 2024.

Application Deadline

02 June, 2024

Scholarship Application Portal

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