The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Mauritius 2025 funding opportunity, issued by the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius, seeks applications from non-profit organizations to lead a program empowering women entrepreneurs. The program's primary objective is to provide women with the skills, resources, and networks necessary to start and scale successful businesses through a U.S.-style educational framework.
The program leverages the DreamBuilder online learning platform, developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, to teach fundamental business concepts. It also incorporates facilitated sessions for discussions, networking opportunities, and hands-on application of skills through events like pitch competitions or trade fairs. Selected organizations are expected to identify qualified facilitators, recruit 25–35 women aged 25 or older with basic computer skills and about a year of entrepreneurial experience, and foster peer-to-peer mentorship and regional business connections.
Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and educational institutions with proven programming experience. For-profit entities are not eligible. Cost sharing is encouraged but not mandatory. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with SAM.gov.
The funding period is one year, with a maximum award of $25,000 and a minimum of $17,000. The project is expected to begin in May 2025. Applications must include mandatory forms, a clear proposal addressing goals, methods, timelines, and monitoring plans, a detailed budget justification, and supporting documents like resumes and partner letters. All materials must be submitted by email to portlouis_pas@state.gov by February 3, 2025.
Proposals will be evaluated based on organizational capacity, program feasibility, alignment with U.S. Embassy priorities, budget reasonableness, and sustainability plans. Successful applicants will receive funding in installments, subject to regular financial and programmatic reporting requirements.
