VV Grow Fellowship-Economic Empowermet

Vital Voices identifies high potential yet underserved women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are on the cusp of growth as the “missing middle” in the global economy. Based on its experience with women business owners around the world, Vital Voices has launched the VV GROW Fellowship Program, a one-year competitive program to support growth-oriented women business owners to take their businesses and leadership to the next level. The program supports women-owned enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to set and achieve business growth goals with a unique blend of online learning, in-person training, and tailored support services.  

VV GROW Fellows will gain knowledge and skills in the following topics:

• Planning for Growth

Guides participants in validating their business growth goals and developing a plan to achieve those goals. By the end of the workshop, participants will have an actionable 1-year plan to achieve their medium-to-long term business growth goals.

• Leadership Training

Utilizes the Vital Voices Leadership Model to instill methods of building leadership skills to positively impact their business, employees and wider community.

• Executive Financial Management

​Equips participants with the skills and knowledge to analyze, manage, and supervise the finances of their business. 

• Networking for Business Professionals

Guides participants to promote their business and successfully utilize new connections.

• Understanding Your Market

Guides participants in identifying key market opportunities such as expanding existing markets and accessing new ones.

The one-year program timeline consists of 4 components:

• A  competitive participant selection process and business needs assessment
• Virtual Training: 4-6 months including a mix of online learning via webinars and Harvard Manage Mentor; network building via webinars and peer/small group calls; updates of key business tools such as the SWOT, the Business Model Canvas, and key financial statements
• In-Person Training: 4-day in-person trainings in each region, LAC, MENA, and SSA featuring group sessions, one-on-one advising, and networking opportunities
• Growth Services and Support: 5-6 months of tailored services such as small grants (potential), one-on-one advising, technical assistance, and Harvard Manage Mentor

Implemented at the regional level, the program is localized to ensure that the program is applicable to women business owners and the business environments in which they operate. 

Who can apply?

Vital Voices is seeking applications from women business owners from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, who: 

• Own a businesses that has been in operation for at least 3 years,
• Employ at least 3 staff (including temporary and/or seasonal workers), and
• Generate at least USD $40,000 in annual sales

As an interested applicant, you:

• Are motivated to build the skills and make the changes needed to grow your business,
• Are excited to participate in a one year program including on-line and in-person training and access to business growth opportunities, and
• Recognize the value of and participate in the tracking of the growth of your business for up to 2 years through methods such as surveys, calls, or additional opportunities.

Application Instructions

This application should take approximately one hour to complete; however, you will be able to save your answers and return to the application at any time. To do this just click the "Save and continue survey later" message that appears at the top of the application and provide your email address. You will then receive an email with a personal link which you should use to return to your application.

Your personal and business information will remain confidential. Individual responses are only seen by Vital Voices staff and VV GROW Trainers. Individual responses will be used solely for program participant selection, program tailoring and monitoring and evaluation.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Click here to be directed to the VV GROW 2015 Fellowship Application

Applications for all regions are due: February 28, 2015

Questions?

If you encounter questions or problems with the survey, please send an email to Samer Altaher at SamerAltaher@vitalvoices.org with the subject line: VV GROW Fellowship Application

More information by region:

Latin America and the Caribbean: VVGROWLAC@vitalnetwork.org

Middle East and North Africa: VVGROWMENA@vitalnetwork.org

Sub-Saharan Africa: VVGROWAfrica@vitalnetwork.org