Rural Entrepreneurship for Women in Agricultural Rural Development

This project seeks to improve the livelihoods and economic well-being particularly for rural women and local leaders in some of Colombia`s most fragile rural areas. Project activities include: (1) investing growth capital provided by the private sector to rural businesses particularly women-led businesses; (2) training women champions in targeted rural areas on leadership skills (Fellows Program) to transform rural leaders into active agents of change; and (3) adapting non-traditional financial investment instruments structured to support targeted rural businesses with gender considerations and technical assistance needs including identifying lessons learned.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased viability of rural businesses particularly women-led businesses in targeted areas of Colombia; (2) increased decision-making and influence by women entrepreneurs and leaders in rural business and community-led organizations in targeted areas fostering population to build socio-economic environments conducive to economic and social well-being; and (3) effective financial investment instruments enhanced for rural businesses particularly women-led businesses in targeted areas of Colombia.