International Development Grant

Feminist Entrepreneurs Growing Green Economies

Project Number: CA-3-P006066001

Status: Operational

Country/Region:

Tanzania 100.00%

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:

Informal/semi-formal financial intermediaries 30%
Business support services and institutions 60%
Agricultural water resources 10%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2020-04-01 to 2021-03-31 $19,759,725 CAD
Geographic Information
000";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2021-04-01;End Date:2022-03-31;Value Date:2021-05-28;Value:"$2
Reference ID: 700