Academy of Women Entrepreneurs Mauritius 2025 | PORTLOUIS AWE FY25 01

Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Mauritius 2025 Grant Opportunity: FAQs

1) What is the AWE Mauritius 2025 grant opportunity?

This is an open competition run by the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis to select one organization to design and deliver the next local cycle of the U.S. Department of State's Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Mauritius for 2025.

2) Who is offering and managing this opportunity?

The opportunity is run by the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis (U.S. Mission to Mauritius) under U.S. public diplomacy funding. The program itself is part of the U.S. State Department exchange program portfolio created by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

3) What is AWE (Academy for Women Entrepreneurs)?

AWE is a U.S. government exchange program created in 2019 by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Its goal is to help women gain practical business skills, expand professional networks, and improve access to resources to launch new ventures or grow existing businesses.

4) Has AWE been implemented before?

Yes. AWE has been implemented in nearly 100 countries and has reached an estimated 25,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide.

5) Has AWE been implemented in Mauritius before?

Yes. AWE first launched in Mauritius in 2021. This 2025 award is intended to continue that work through a locally managed, cohort-based program.

6) What is the main purpose of the funded project?

The core purpose is to provide selected women entrepreneurs with skills, resources, and connections to start and scale sustainable businesses through a structured learning experience and practical, locally relevant programming.

7) What will the selected organization be expected to do?

The awardee will be expected to design and deliver the local AWE cycle, including building a structured learning experience, facilitating interactive sessions, adding locally relevant components, recruiting and selecting participants, and organizing hands-on activities that help participants apply what they learn.

8) What training platform must be used in the program?

The program must use one of AWE's main training platforms as a central component, either:

• DreamBuilder (a free online business fundamentals course created with Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation), or
• Advanced offerings linked to the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative (a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State and Arizona State University).

9) Is the program entirely online?

No. While online learning is a core component, the program is expected to be highly interactive and locally relevant, including facilitated group sessions where participants work through content together, discuss application to their businesses, and build peer relationships.

10) What kinds of in-person or interactive activities are expected?

The opportunity describes hands-on elements such as speed mentoring, influencer or expert talks, pitch competitions, and potentially trade fairs or similar showcases to move learning beyond theory into practice.

11) What is the role of facilitators in this program?

The implementing partner is expected to identify facilitator(s) who can guide discussions, translate broad business concepts into locally meaningful action steps, and maintain participant engagement throughout the cohort experience.

12) Are guest speakers or local content allowed?

Yes. The training can be augmented with additional local context and themed guest speaker sessions so the curriculum reflects real market conditions in Mauritius and the region.

13) How many participants should be selected?

The implementing organization must create and manage a cohort of 25 to 35 women entrepreneurs.

14) Who is eligible to participate as a participant (entrepreneur)?

Participants should be women aged 25 or older. They are expected to have recently started a business and have roughly a year of experience selling a product or service, have basic computer skills, and have had little prior formal business training.

15) Which locations are eligible for participants?

Participants are expected to be primarily from Mauritius, but the cohort is also open to eligible women from Rodrigues and Seychelles.

16) Who is responsible for recruiting participants?

The implementing organization is responsible for promoting the call for participants using media and organizational networks to reach eligible women and managing the recruitment process.

17) How will participants be selected?

The awardee will develop an application form and, in consultation with the U.S. Embassy, set any additional selection criteria beyond the basic eligibility requirements. The implementing partner will review applications, conduct a pre-selection, and then work closely with the Embassy for final interviews and cohort confirmation.

18) Will the U.S. Embassy be involved in selection decisions?

Yes. The implementing partner will consult with the U.S. Embassy on selection criteria and will work closely with the Embassy to conduct final interviews and confirm the cohort.

19) What outcomes does the opportunity emphasize beyond training?

Networking and ecosystem building are expected outcomes. The project should intentionally foster networks connecting participants to peer-to-peer mentorship, potential partners, and scaling opportunities, including relationships with regional businesses.

20) Does the opportunity encourage involvement of U.S. Exchange Alumni?

Yes. Engagement with U.S. Exchange Alumni is encouraged, including serving as facilitators, mentors, or guest speakers, reinforcing the exchange-program model and strengthening connections among entrepreneurs.

21) What is the anticipated grant period and start date?

This is described as a one-year grant with an anticipated start around May 2025, subject to the availability of funds.

22) How many awards does the U.S. Mission expect to make?

The U.S. Mission to Mauritius expects to make one award under FY25 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy funding.

23) What is the expected funding amount?

The award amount is expected to fall between USD 17,000 (floor) and USD 25,000 (ceiling).

24) What type of funding instrument is used?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary and uses a grant funding instrument.

25) Who is eligible to apply as an implementing organization?

Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations such as NGOs, think tanks, and civil society organizations with relevant programming experience, as well as non-profit or governmental educational institutions.

26) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is PORTLOUIS AWE FY25 01.

27) What is the application closing date?

The listed application closing date is February 3, 2025.

28) What does "locally managed cohort-based program" mean in this context?

Based on the description, it means the implementing organization in Mauritius will run a structured cohort (25 to 35 participants) and deliver programming that blends U.S.-style entrepreneurship training with Mauritian and regional realities through facilitated sessions, practical activities, and network-building.

29) Is the program focused on early-stage entrepreneurs or experienced businesses?

The target participants are women who have recently started a business and have roughly a year of experience selling a product or service, indicating an early-stage focus rather than established companies.

30) What kinds of practical skills and experiences is the program meant to build?

The program is meant to build practical business skills (through DreamBuilder or Najafi/ASU-linked content) and real-world application through activities like mentoring, expert talks, pitch competitions, and possible showcases, helping participants test value propositions, receive feedback, and improve confidence in presenting their businesses.