Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0006965

The Women s Empowerment through Economic Inclusion opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0006965) is a U.S. Department of State program offered through the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. It was posted on May 19, 2020, and was structured as a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement, meaning the government anticipated an active role during implementation rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The program was designed to support a regional pilot project in South Asia that could be expanded over time, with the core aim of advancing women s economic empowerment by helping women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) start, survive, and scale.

The opportunity focuses specifically on practical economic inclusion for women entrepreneurs and business owners, emphasizing approaches that reflect lessons learned from prior efforts and that are adapted to local conditions in the target countries and communities. A key expectation is that applicants would build programming around local needs and take advantage of existing momentum, such as emerging women s business networks, reform windows, private sector interest, or government initiatives already moving in a positive direction. Rather than prescribing a single model, the notice signals several likely areas of assistance that grantees could combine into a coherent pilot, depending on what is most relevant on the ground.

Program activities were expected to concentrate on strengthening the capacity of women business owners, which can include business skills development, leadership training, mentoring, market readiness support, and operational improvements that help firms become more competitive. Another emphasized area is policy and enabling-environment work, such as support for regulatory and tax reforms that reduce barriers women face when registering businesses, complying with tax requirements, accessing licenses, or operating formally. The opportunity also highlights increasing access to finance, which could involve helping women entrepreneurs become bankable, connecting them to lenders or investors, addressing information gaps, and supporting mechanisms that make financing more attainable for women-led SMEs. In addition, it stresses expanding access to procurement markets at the local, regional, and global level, as well as improving access to technology that businesses need to sustain and grow, such as digital tools, e-commerce capabilities, or other productivity-enhancing solutions tied to market access and long-term viability.

Eligibility was limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The CFDA number listed is 19.700, and the agency anticipated making one award. The award ceiling was $987,500, indicating a single, sizeable pilot project intended to demonstrate results and provide a platform for scaling. The original application closing date was June 28, 2020. Overall, the grant opportunity is best understood as a targeted, regionally oriented women s economic empowerment initiative in South Asia, centered on women-owned SMEs and combining business capacity building with reforms and market systems improvements that help women entrepreneurs gain financing, compete for contracts, adopt growth-oriented technology, and operate in a more supportive regulatory environment.

  • The Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women’s Empowerment through Economic Inclusion" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.700.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 19, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 28, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $987,500.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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