International Development Grant
Feminist Entrepreneurs Growing Green Economies
Project Number: CA-3-P006066001
Status: Operational
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $19,759,725.00
Start Date: May 28, 2021
End Date: December 31, 2027
Duration: 6.6 years
Project Description
This project aims to improve the economic prosperity of feminist small and medium sized enterprises and women entrepreneurs in Tanzania by promoting gender equality and climate-smart business in Tanzania's dryland regions. Project activities include: (1) Providing business development services to build the capacity of feminist small and medium sized enterprises including those owned by youth while facilitating gender equality; (2) Providing matching grants to feminist small and medium sized enterprises via a competitive process; (3) Training women entrepreneurs on cost-effective and climate-adapted agriculture and irrigation techniques and technologies; (4) Providing technical assistance to business incubators focused on outreach to women-led small and medium sized enterprises; and (5) Supporting local actors (government civic groups market actors) to foster greater gender equality. The project aims to reach 300 feminist small and medium sized enterprises and 20 000 women entrepreneurs.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved business performance of feminist small and medium-sized enterprises; (2) improved climate-smart business performance of women entrepreneurs in dryland regions of Tanzania; and (3) improved the enabling environment for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of March 2024 include: (1) created 12 718 decent jobs surpassing expectations by 59.2%; (2) contributed to increased income for 64% of Feminist Small and Medium Enterprises (F-SMEs); (3) supported 82.6% of lead firms in adopting gender-proactive strategies resulting in a 26% revenue increase among women entrepreneurs; (4) 94.2% of women reported greater influence in household and business decision-making reinforcing the project's commitment to inclusivity and economic empowerment; and (5) facilitated business development services for 18 195 small enterprises with 75% being women entrepreneurs (WEs) significantly surpassing the annual target of 10 741. Additionally the project enabled 6 975 WEs to access smart subsidy price discount incentives exceeding the annual goal of 4 500.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Mennonite Economic DevelopmentAssociates of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
WGM Africa
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal