Deadline to submit applications: ongoing, with priority given to eligible institutions that submit before 08 May 2022
EOI information and application guidelines: https://www.unescap.org/projects/cwe/call-for-expressions-of-interest
Application submission requirements: 1) Proposal Application Form, 2) Budget Proposal and 3) Annex 1-Submission Confirmation Letter, and ensure the application must follow the templates provided.
For any questions regarding the EOI should submit their questions by email to: [email protected]
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the project ‘Catalyzing Women’s Entrepreneurship’ (CWE), funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, and implemented by ESCAP.
The objective is to partner and provide grant funding for one or more of the following themes in the Catalyzing Women’s Entrepreneurship (CWE) programme's focus countries:
Theme 1) Impact Investing and Innovative Financing: Establish a new or expand an existing innovative[1], financing or impact investing initiative specifically targeting women-led enterprises[2],
Theme 2) Gender Lens Investing: Integrate Gender Lens Investing (GLI) into a new or existing innovative financing mechanism or impact investment fund,
Theme 3) Research and Policy Initiatives: Conduct policy research or engagements on expanding access or usage of financial services to or investments in women-led enterprises.
This call for Expressions of Interest asks applicants to take a GLI approach in any of the three chosen areas, meaning investing with the specific intent to create a positive impact on women. However, the focus goes beyond women as individuals but specifically focuses on supporting women enterprises. This can be in the form of investing in enterprises which are majority owned by women (51%), managed by a woman, majority of the board members are women, and/or supporting enterprises which support, empower and develop the capacities of women. The CWE focus countries are Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Fiji and Samoa.
Applications are open to all organizations which hold a not-for-profit status. A proof of the organization’s not-for-profit status will be required as part of the application process. Applications are also open to other UN, government and multilateral entities, who have the skills and expertise in developing similar initiatives. While the lead entity must have not-for-profit status, partnerships with private sector firms or other entities are encouraged.
EOI information and application guidelines: https://www.unescap.org/projects/cwe/call-for-expressions-of-interest
Application deadline: No later than midnight on 08 May 2022, ICT, UTC +7, by email to [email protected] , with the subject line: EOI-ESCAP-Women Enterprise Impact Investment Fund
Applications must follow the guideline and submission format as outlined in the Application Template and Budget Proposal, provided on the Call for EOI webpage.
More information about the ESCAP’s Catalyzing Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme, please visit https://www.unescap.org/projects/cwe
[1] For the purposes of this call, the term “Innovative” can be defined as something which involves new, advanced, or original components.
[2] Women enterprises are defined as enterprises that are majority owned by women (51%), managed by a woman, majority of the board members are women and/or enterprises which support, empower and develop the capacities of women. Therefore, male owned enterprise can be considered, if the senior management or board structure is 51% women, or if the enterprises core business works to support, empower and develop the capacities of women.
