Entries are now open for the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) 2021 – Cohort 4. The African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative is a 12-month program that equips 200 female entrepreneurs with leadership skills, business management, and capacity building.
About the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative
This initiative employs applied and collaborative learning methods to create immediate business impact and breed a pan-African network of entrepreneurs, experts, and allies.
The program’s blended-learning model – an avenue through which most activities can take place digitally – enables AWEC to avoid the limitations of conventional in-person training and at the same time impact entrepreneurs across the continent and diaspora.
Participation in AWEC is free, however, Fellows are required to commit their time (4 to 6 hours per week for one year), demonstrate passion and energy, be actively involved in the AWEC community. Note that Fellows may incur costs related to attending an optional in-person event.
Benefits
After successful completion of the 12-month program, Fellows will:
- Acquire strategy, leadership, and business management skills.
- Develop a set of soft skills, including self-confidence, resilience, collaboration, and cross-cultural communications.
- Establish a mentoring relationship with a business expert.
- Receive training on how to acquire skills in finance, marketing, and strategy needed to grow and scale their enterprise.
- Join a diverse network of African women entrepreneurs.
Requirements
The AWEC invites women who are:
- Founders of businesses that have been in operation for at least two years in any industry with at least two employees OR women who have a strong business concept and intend to establish their business within the next year.
- Founders of social enterprises are encouraged to apply; founders of NGOs or nonprofit organizations are no longer eligible for the 12-month program.
- Residents of any African country, currently living on the continent or in the diaspora.
- Willing to engage in remote teamwork and collaboration, especially using digital tools.
- Proficient in spoken and written English.
- Able to regularly (at least on a weekly basis) access the Internet through a computer or tablet.
What to expect
This program is rigorous and time-intensive. Fellows should expect to:
- Commit at least 4 to 6 hours per week to participate in AWEC activities, primarily online.
- Be involved in at least one AWEC activity per week throughout the course of the program, including virtual (Zoom) meetings.
- Be stretched, inspired, and challenged as they acquire new knowledge.
- Acquire skills, build their peer network, and transform their businesses.
- Be paired with a mentor and to take ownership of their mentor/mentee relationship.
- Be introduced to a peer group, and actively contribute to group discussions and activities.
- Get access to a program advisor from whom they can seek support when needed.
- Respond to periodic surveys to improve the overall experience.
Recommendation
For the best user experience, it is strongly recommended that applicants use a desktop PC or laptop to apply here.
Deadline
Applications for AWEC close on Sunday, January 31, 2021.
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