SUVA – Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Tony Greubel shared words of encouragement with the 2020 and 2021 graduates of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs during their inaugural networking event at the Grand Pacific Hotel. Over 200 women entrepreneurs gathered to meet and learn best practices from each other. The Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) organized the event.
CDA Greubel said, “WEBC, in partnership with the Makoi Women’s Vocational Centre, has successfully implemented one of the U.S. Government’s signature programs here in Fiji, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs. AWE started when it was needed most, as the pandemic closed Fiji’s the country’s borders and ravaged its economy. We at the U.S. Embassy believe in the power of investing in women entrepreneurs and are glad to learn what AWE participants have done since graduation.”
AWE is a U.S. Government-funded program that provides women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and grow successful businesses. The U.S. Embassy partnered with the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) and Makoi Women’s Vocational Centre in 2020 to launch AWE in Fiji with 92 participants. In 2021, the Embassy expanded AWE to include over 130 women on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. In total, 225 women have graduated from AWE. The U.S. Embassy recently awarded a grant of US$20,510 to WEBC and Makoi Women’s Vocational Centre to run AWE for the third year in a row. WEBC is accepting applications to participate in AWE until June 3. Visit U.S. Embassy Suva’s website at https://go.usa.gov/xufnN for more information.
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