Business Expansion Initiative for Women's Employment
ID: 353672Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

U.S. Mission to Afghanistan (DOS-AFG)

Award Range

$300K - $750K

Eligible Applicants

Others

Funding Category

Other

Funding Instrument

Grant

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes
Timeline
    Description

    The U.S. Mission to Afghanistan is inviting proposals for the "Business Expansion Initiative for Women's Employment," aimed at enhancing women's economic participation in Afghanistan. This initiative seeks to empower businesses to adopt gender-inclusive practices, thereby increasing job opportunities for women and fostering economic growth in sectors where women are permitted to work. The program is particularly focused on supporting innovative projects that address the persistent gender gap in the Afghan workforce through training, mentorship, access to capital, and community engagement. Interested organizations can apply for funding ranging from $300,000 to $750,000, with a proposal submission deadline of June 21, 2024. For inquiries, applicants may contact the Grants Manager at KabulPDSProposals@state.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The "Business Expansion Initiative for Women's Employment" RFP seeks proposals to enhance women's economic participation in Afghanistan. It emphasizes the importance of a diverse applicant pool, including non-profit organizations and private companies, while excluding individuals. Key personnel should hold essential roles, and their contributions must be outlined in the proposal, which is limited to 15 pages, excluding attachments such as Monitoring and Evaluation documents. The initiative targets innovative projects that empower women in the workforce, supporting entrepreneurship and equal opportunities. While there are no specific geographic limitations within Afghanistan, projects should aim for broad regional impacts. The funding ranges between $300,000 to $750,000, and all budget proposals must stay within this limit. Performance indicators will be defined by applicants but should focus on increasing employment opportunities for women and fostering gender-inclusive business practices. The document clarifies that expenses for project-related activities, including training and learning systems, are permissible. Furthermore, applicants may form partnerships with private entities, but funds cannot directly support commercial activities. Overall, the initiative reflects the U.S. Department of State's commitment to enhancing gender equity in the workforce through strategic funding and oversight.
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