Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2025

The U.S. Embassy's Public Diplomacy Section in Dhaka invites proposals for the 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Bangladesh. Eligible organizations must be legally recognized non-profits or non-governmental entities that comply with U.S. and Bangladeshi technical and legal standards for implementing Public Diplomacy programs, as outlined in Section B. The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) equips women with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to start and grow successful businesses. By fostering entrepreneurial skills and promoting financial independence, the program creates opportunities for women to overcome barriers to economic participation. With a focus on empowering women from underserved and marginalized communities, AWE prepares participants to thrive in the private sector and contribute meaningfully to their local economies.

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) was launched by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019 to address the barriers women face in starting and scaling businesses. The program empowers women by providing access to practical, no-cost online business education and localized coaching and mentorship. It leverages platforms like DreamBuilder, created in partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, and the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative to deliver flexible, high-impact training in core business skills. AWE also fosters peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities with U.S. exchange alumni and local business leaders.

In Bangladesh, AWE addresses the critical challenges women entrepreneurs encounter, such as limited access to finance, professional networks, and structured business training. These challenges are compounded by socio-economic barriers that often restrict women's participation in the economy. Previous projects have demonstrated that combining U.S.-style online learning with localized facilitation and mentorship significantly enhances participants' skills, confidence, and economic outcomes. AWE alumni have reported substantial improvements in their businesses, with 74% achieving higher incomes and 29% hiring additional staff, showcasing the program's potential to drive local prosperity.

Participants in the AWE program will engage in facilitated in-person and virtual sessions with established Bangladeshi and U.S. entrepreneurs, alumni of U.S.-funded exchange programs, and other experts from diverse fields that enrich the program. Proposals must integrate the online interactive DreamBuilder course and may include elements from the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative curriculum, focusing on key topics in entrepreneurship and innovation. The program may be implemented in multiple locations, run cohorts of up to 30 participants, and must include a strong American component, such as U.S. experts serving as guest teachers or coaches, clearly articulated in the proposed syllabus.

Proposals must also include engagement activities for AWE alumnae from previous years. These activities could include site visits, seed funding opportunities, exchanges, pitch competitions, fairs, networking, or other creative elements that encourage alumnae to remain connected and continue to grow their businesses. Proposals incorporating such innovative and interactive elements will be more competitive.

Through this NOFO, the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) seeks to expand on these successes by scaling the program's impact in Bangladesh. The goal is to empower a new generation of women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills, networks, and confidence needed to succeed. Success will be measured through participants’ ability to apply learned skills, increase business profitability, generate jobs, and foster resilience in the face of challenges. This initiative aims to create sustainable economic growth and promote women’s leadership in entrepreneurship, contributing to Bangladesh’s broader socio-economic development.

Project Audience(s): The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program targets aspiring women entrepreneurs from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds across Bangladesh. Primary beneficiaries include women from marginalized communities, rural and urban areas, and various educational and professional levels, ensuring an inclusive approach to fostering entrepreneurship. The program prioritizes those facing systemic barriers to economic participation, equipping them with skills, networks, and confidence to succeed. Some demographics to consider, include:

·        Gender

·        Geographic Location

·        Age Group

·        Level of Education

·        Social Class

·        Religious Practice

·        Profession

Project Goal:  Empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh by providing them with the knowledge, networks, and skills essential for business success. AWE aims to prepare women for leadership roles through a flexible educational platform, fostering connections with peers, and facilitating mentorship opportunities with accomplished female leaders in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Project Objectives:

·        Objective 1: Train 25-30 aspiring women entrepreneurs from diverse and marginalized backgrounds in foundational business skills, including strategic planning, marketing, and finance, through globally recognized curricula like DreamBuilder or the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative.

·        Objective 2: Strengthen mentorship and peer-to-peer networks by engaging U.S. exchange alumni, local business leaders, and facilitators to provide guidance, practical support, and opportunities for collaboration among participants.

·        Objective 3: Empower program participants to create scalable business models, with measurable outcomes including at least 30% reporting increased income and 15% hiring additional staff within a year of program completion.

·        Objective 4: Foster long-term alumni engagement by organizing targeted follow-on activities such as regional summits, networking events, and skills enhancement workshops, ensuring continuous development and knowledge-sharing.

·        Objective 5: Promote inclusivity and diversity by ensuring that at least 50% of participants represent economically disadvantaged, rural, or minority communities, advancing equitable socio-economic development across Bangladesh.

These objectives aim to drive sustainable economic growth, enhance gender equity, and support the U.S. Mission’s goals of empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening local and global networks.