Call for proposals seeks effective programs for women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, and NEXSO, its online platform that promotes solutions for development, has launched an online competition, "Mentoring for Women Entrepreneurs”. The competition seeks to identify mentoring models that support women entrepreneurs that can demonstrate significant results and that have the potential to be replicated in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Effective mentoring relationships can help women entrepreneurs define their ideas and carry them out, whether in developing their initial business plans or keeping their businesses growing. Mentoring also introduces women business owners to other entrepreneurs and/or mentors, building up their networks.

The call for proposals encourages organizations from all over the world to present their solutions before April 28, 2015, at 5:00 pm (EDT). All proposals should be submitted through the NEXSO online platform and provide detailed information about the program’s methodology, matchmaking process, and effective results proven through indicators, surveys or any other type of measurement.

A jury of experts will select two winners. The first place winner will have the opportunity to implement its mentoring program as part of a MIF-funded project for women entrepreneurs. In addition, both the first and second prize-winning organizations will be able to send a representative to an upcoming MIF-sponsored event related to entrepreneurship, mentoring, and/or networking, with all expenses covered.

About the MIF

The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, supports private sector-led development benefiting low-income populations and the poor—their businesses, their farms, and their households. The aim is to give them tools to boost their incomes: access to markets and the skills to compete in those markets, access to finance, and access to basic services, including green technology. A core MIF mission is to act as a development laboratory—experimenting, pioneering, and taking risks to build and support successful micro, small and medium business models.

About the MIF’s WEempower Initiative

The MIF’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative (WEempower) is dedicated to ensuring that women and men have equal access to the benefits of all MIF projects, supporting women entrepreneurs and the growth of women-led businesses, identifying evidence-based solutions to help women realize their full economic potential, and sharing knowledge with the private and public sectors, policymakers and civil society about what works to solve the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

About NEXSO

NEXSO, a MIF initiative, is a community-driven platform that promotes solutions for social impact. The platform will increase systemic social, environmental and economic impact by developing and marketing innovative solutions to, by, and for the development community in Latin America and the Caribbean.