The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have jointly launched a pioneering initiative, the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund. The US$50 million fund aims to empower women entrepreneurs in growing their businesses by leveraging international trade and digitalization.
The WEIDE Fund will unlock opportunities in international trade and digital trade for women entrepreneurs by improving their access to:
- Funds: providing grants and working with financial institutions to close the access to finance gap.
- Skills, knowledge, and competences: providing technical assistance and access to information related to digital skills and export competitiveness.
- Markets: connecting women to digital market platforms.
- Networks and support services: the Fund will create more inclusive and effective business ecosystems including leveraging partnerships with private and public sector actors.
The WEIDE Fund supports women-led MSMEs through country-level projects implemented with Business Support Organizations (BSOs) selected via competitive calls. Beneficiary MSMEs are also selected competitively and supported through two main tracks, each combining grants and technical assistance.
Track one:
– Target: supports micro and small women-led businesses to improve their competitiveness, with a focus on improving digital skills, networks, and market access.
– Duration: 9-12 months
– Discovery Grant: Between USD 2,000-5,000, disbursed in two installments and subject to business objectives, commitment to the programme and performance check.
– Technical Assistance package: Includes diagnostic assessments, business planning, skills training, branding and marketing support, access to financial solutions and soft skills.
Track two:
- Target: supports exporting and export-ready women-led MSMEs to scale up their business and expand their markets with a focus on digital marketplaces.
– Duration: approximately 12 months
– Booster Grant: Up to USD 30,000, to support the business through working capital and/or equipment. This threshold can be revised by the Technical Committee. Grant payments will be linked to milestones and performance checks.
– Technical assistance package: Includes bespoke coaching to develop a business acceleration plan, export competitiveness, investment readiness, certification and IP registration, new equipment/technology support, market linkages, and soft skills.
Please not that applications from women-led MSMEs from all sectors are welcome as long as there is a digital element to your business.
The deadline for completing the application is **18 May 2025**
Note: Successful candidates will be asked to provide additional documentation to support responses in their application, they will be contacted directly by the WEIDE Fund Secretariat.
FAQs:
- When does the digital and financial training package start? – Q3 2025
- When can I expect to receive the grant? – The grant will be disbursed in one to three tranches based on individual plans and achievements of business milestones.
- How long is the programme?- 9 – 12 months
- How much time do I need to commit to the project?- A minimum of 6 weeks over the course of the programme (approximately 2 weeks per courses). Your progress will be closely followed to ensure that we reach the expected targets. Businesses not committed to doing the work will be excluded from the programme.
- Will I receive individual support? – There will be a mix of online training, training in small groups and 1-1 coaching sessions
- What work will I need to do? – Amongst other things, you will need to prepare the content that you want to list on the marketplace (product description, photos, company information), establish your pricing, identify your target market, set up payment and shipping solutions, and create an account on selected marketplace or boost your own sales channel.
- Will I need to travel? – Some travel may be required.
- Is there a fee? – There is no fee to join the programme however you will be responsible for your own expenses and any fees related to the growth of your business.
- What other support will I receive? – Business development networking opportunities with e-commerce experts and key e-commerce stakeholders in the market, access to free e-learning, visibility and promotion of your business.
