The U.S. Government Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) initiative is designed to empower women worldwide to fulfill 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.

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.

In Guyana, twenty-five women from Region 2 will have the opportunity to participate in the AWE program when the program rolls out in May 2021, facilitated by WeLead Caribbean. During the five-month program, participants will 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.