The U.S. Government Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative is designed to empower women worldwide to fulfil their economic potential and, in doing so, create conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all. The target is to reach 50 million women by 2025 by promoting an enabling environment that reduces barriers and facilitates women’s participation in the economy.

To augment the existing slate of projects focused on women and economic empowerment, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) established the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in 2019. AWE provides women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and scale successful businesses.

AWE has three main objectives:

• First, to provide resources for women to engage in online education with guided facilitation from local women business leaders, alumni of USG programs, and other local partners.
• Second, to foster networks that support AWE participants’ access to peer-to-peer mentorship, business partners, and scaling opportunities with businesses in the region and in the U.S.
• And, finally, to provide access to a wide range of ongoing USG programs tailored to women’s economic empowerment to expand the effects of AWE participation.

Through AWE, women entrepreneurs participate in a facilitated entrepreneurship program supplemented with localized content, as well as networking and mentorship opportunities. AWE is typically centered around the online training program, DreamBuilder, developed through a partnership between Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and global copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan. 

Through the Dream Builder platform, participants will complete a series of 13 online certified courses covering the basics of starting a business as well as relevant topic areas such as marketing, finance, and accounting.  In addition to the interactive courses, participants will have access to a business plan generator to guide the creation of business plans.

The DreamBuilder program allows participants to benefit from one-on-one business development support and mentorship along with financial guidance aimed at creating sustainable businesses. The program is open to Spanish and English-speaking women between the ages of 20 to 35 with a business idea or plan and can be completed within 25 to 30 hours. 

Additional Support Offered – 

1. Business Development Training 
2. Business Registration & Compliance 
3. International Business Mentorship 
4. Product Development & Marketing