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Description of the programme / policy
Together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Women in Business programme, Sida helps to make it easier for women to start and run successful businesses. Through this project, women can participate in practical training and build networks with other female entrepreneurs. The project also increases opportunities for SMEs owned or operated by women to take out bank loans.
Main objective of the programme/policy
Promoting the inclusion of women in business is vital to realising the full economic potential of any country. We know that women’s entrepreneurship plays a key role in creating jobs and driving economic growth, but that women-led small and medium-sized enterprises face increased challenges in accessing the financing and the know-how they need to develop and grow. We believe there is an opportunity here for women entrepreneurs, our partner financial institution and the countries where we work to tackle these obstacles, engage women more fully in business, and help economic engines run at full speed
Specific objective of the programme/policy
Women in Business programme is specifically focused on women-led SMEs, meaning businesses with fewer than 250 employees and less than €50 million in annual turnover or with a balance sheet total of less than €43 million. For a business to qualify for this programme, overall operational management responsibility for the company should be held by a woman, who may also partially or wholly own the business.
Women in Business programme work with women-led businesses in almost every sector and industry. However, we cannot work with businesses in banking or financial services, military products or services, gambling or tobacco.