U.S. Embassy Baghdad Grant: Women’s Small Business Mentoring Program in Southern Iraq

U.S. Consulate General Basrah seeks to engage southern Iraqi women who are in positions of increased financial responsibility due to the loss of a family member to armed conflict, violent extremism, and/or sectarian violence. The goal is to enable Iraqi women to meet their essential economic needs and those of their families. Grant objectives are to connect Iraqi women with mentors—preferably female—in the business community, who can teach skills and model strategies that will increase their participation in the local economy, including basic computer skills, resume building, and the use of social media and other online platforms. English training is a desirable, but not required component of the training. Training that facilitates direct contact between the Iraqi diaspora and local women is also desirable. Participants will receive training and access resources as part of a local network of mentors that can provide them real-time tailored feedback and offer ongoing support, advice, and resources to overcome the challenges businesswomen face in the context of southern Iraqi society. The program should also incorporate virtual mentoring sessions with American entrepreneurs – particularly women, and those fluent in Arabic – who can speak to their experiences, offer best practices, and promote linkages between Iraqi and American businesspeople. Subject to availability of funds, the Embassy expects to award one grant for up to $250,000.00 for the base program (60 female participants in Basrah and 20 female participants in surrounding provinces for a one year program). Proposals should be scalable (both in terms of timeline and participant number) in the event that additional funding is available.