2024 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs / Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) Notice of Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity Title: 2024 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Funding Opportunity Number: FY2024VE001 Deadline for Applications: January 1, 2024 Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs Total Amount Available: USD $80,000 (two grants up to $40,000 each for Phase 1 and Phase 2) A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU) Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to implement the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Venezuela and an AWE Alumni Project. Please follow all instructions below. Priority Region: WHA/Venezuela Program Objectives: The PD section invites proposals from USG alumni organizations, established non-profit Venezuelan associations, civil-society organizations, and academic institutions, to design and implement AWE, a capacity building program that uses the “Dreambuilder” online curriculum and facilitated training sessions on fundamentals of launching and scaling up business enterprise and a separate AWE Alumni Project. The AWE program works with a group of 25-30 Venezuelan women, ages 20-45, who are aspiring social entrepreneurs with interest in creating and leading social ventures in visual arts and communications fields, that help advance active citizenry and public engagement (e.g., graphic designers, illustrators, cartoonists, animators, photographers, filmmakers, social media content managers, and other creative and communications professionals). Participant selections will be conducted in partnership with the PD section. The proposal will incorporate highly interactive capacity building techniques to expand critical knowledge, skills, and resources to grow sustainable civil society organizations and develop networks among participants and facilitators for future collaboration and support. The overall program is comprised of two phases, the first phase focuses on transferring business skills (using the “Dreambuilder” curriculum developed by Arizona State University) to build sustainable social enterprises for a new cohort of AWE participants. The second phase aims at planning, organizing, and implementing a social marketing campaign competition for AWE alumni to create artistic pieces that promote a stronger sense of active citizenry among young and first-time Venezuelan voters. The Phase 2 Project will work with up to 20 AWE alumnae in related fields, in teams of up to three participants. Participant selections will be conducted in partnership with the PD section. The project must include specialized visuals arts and communications training, led by U.S.-based subject matter experts, that facilitates preparation toward the competition. This may include small seed-funding for implementation grants, and short-term travel to the United States for follow-on study-tours for the winning team(s). Both program phases must include a U.S. component, either through a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s, usage of American educational/ informational resources, U.S. government exchange program alumni participation, and/or any other activities that promote or contribute to increased mutual understanding and collaboration between the people of the United States and the people of Venezuela. Competitive proposals should incorporate collaboration and partnerships with American Spaces/Bi-national Centers in Venezuela for some portions of program implementation. Objectives: Each proposal must meet the following objectives, in addition to strengthening understanding of U.S. values, institutions, and precepts: 1. Expand participants’ understanding of the fundamentals of developing and scaling up organizations with social impact. 2. Expose participants to U.S. models for social or civil society organizations development/ strategy and connect them with American experts. 3. Facilitate the development of an ongoing network of female entrepreneurs, both Venezuelan and American, who can offer support and ongoing best practices to promote and celebrate a network of women-led civil society organizations. About AWE: Established in 2019, AWE provides women with the knowledge, networks, and access to launch or scale successful businesses around the World. In Venezuela, nine cohorts and over 1,000 women have been certified as AWE alumni after completing online and in-person training to learn core business skills such as strategic planning, marketing, and finance, and then discuss the material with local facilitators, business leaders, and U.S. exchange alumni mentors. Through its partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School for Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, AWE utilizes no-cost, online learning platforms. Used by AWE since 2019, DreamBuilder has taught participants the fundamentals of starting or growing a small business from a U.S. perspective, offering modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and includes a built-in business plan generator. Proposals: Proposals can either be submitted for Phase 1 or Phase 2, or both. If applying for both, please submit separate proposals and budgets. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that use a variety of interactive activities, workshops, and other learning experiences to help participants develop their entrepreneurship and leadership skills. All proposals should contain a proposed syllabus briefly describing how in-person and virtual speakers and other activities would supplement the online sessions in the attached Dreambuilder course description (Addendum 1), and how these activities would relate to overall program objectives. Proposals should also include a detailed explanation of how applicants will be recruited and a description of how the institute activities will bring about the intended results. Guidelines: ● The grantee should design and execute a facilitated program for 25-30 Venezuelan female entrepreneurs (age 20-45). Activities must include workshops, mentoring, and other interactive sessions. The activities should be innovative and hands-on, designed as either entirely in-person training or a hybrid program (combining online and in-person activities). ● A clear methodology of participant recruitment and selection should be detailed in the proposal. In addition to strong motivation to participate in AWE and advancing their entrepreneurship skills, participants must also be computer literate and have reliable access to an internet-connected computer or smartphone. English language skills are not required. ● The grant must cover the costs of venues for the training sessions and supplemental activities. ● The grant must cover the costs of travel, lodging, and stipends for facilitators, mentors, and guest expert speakers. ● The grant must cover funding for any materials necessary for the promotion of the AWE program/recruiting participants and other materials for use in program activities. ● Awardees should be prepared to design and implement surveys, polls, or other methods for evaluating the institute’s effectiveness before, during, and after completion. ● The proposal must include information about how the awardee will identify and recruit local facilitators and experts. ● The proposal must contain a sample agenda of sessions and activities. ● Awardees should be available to participate in regular planning calls with the Public Diplomacy section until the launch of the program. ● Equipment cannot account for more than 10 percent of the total project cost. ● USG alumni organizations or individuals, non-profit Venezuelan organizations, and academic institutions applying to this program should have experience both in organizing large-scale programs as well as demonstrated knowledge of entrepreneurship and business environment in Venezuela. ● Proposed budgets may include administrative costs up to 10 percent of the total amount requested. ● If applying for both phases, the applicant must submit two separate proposals and budgets. Participants and Audiences: Phase 1 Grant: 25-30 Venezuelan woman residing in Venezuela, ages 20-45, who are aspiring social entrepreneurs with an interest in creating and leading social enterprises in visual arts and communications. Phase 2 Grant: Up to 20 Venezuelan AWE Alumni, residing in Venezuela, ages 20-45, who are leading early and mid-stage social enterprises in visual arts and communications. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: Up to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: Up to two awards Award amounts: Each award up to $40,000 Total available funding: $80,000 Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2024 Public Diplomacy funds and Smith-Mundt funds Anticipated program start date: Phase 1 - April 1, 2024; Phase 2 – July 1, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant or Cooperative Agreement Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The PD Section will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. If interested in applying, please visit https://uploads.mwp.mprod.getusinfo.com/uploads/sites/11/2023/12/NOFO-AWE-Cleared.pdf to review all information regarding this NOFO.