Published: 01 Feb 2022 623 views
Thirty-five women will be recruited to begin a blended three-month programme titled, Women Agripreneurs Programme sponsored by the Embassy of France, which will be divided into three thematic areas which will run over two weeks each month. The thematic areas will cover self and leadership development as well as entrepreneurial and managerial competencies. Coaching sessions will run concurrently with the training programme to support the women entrepreneurs to apply the academic business management concepts, as well as enhance their personal development journeys.
Entrepreneurship continues to empower people to sustain their livelihoods. However, women entrepreneurs still require investment to transform their livelihoods and to ensure strengthened gender equality across the agricultural value chain. From farm to fork, women’s empowerment is essential and the transformation of the agricultural sector as a gender-inclusive space is a critical place to start.
The context within which women farmers operate is dynamic and complex with multiple stakeholders and role-players impacting the business environment. Farmers alike face challenges like lack of financial support, appropriate training and business skills, social barriers and poor or absent infrastructure. Women farmers, however, face these same challenges and more, such as a lack of networks and peer support, and cultural and social barriers in the form of gender norms.
| Application Deadline | 28 Feb 2022 |
| Country to study | South Africa |
| Type | Entrepreneurs |
| Sponsor | France Government |
| Gender | Women |
Through this customised programme, the EDA and the Embassy of France in South Africa hope to contribute to the development and strengthening of the South African farming community, the agricultural sector and South African women’s emancipation and economic empowerment by aiding women entrepreneurs to effectively combat the challenges and barriers they face.
Businesses that are currently trading / operational (formal or informal)
Minimum age – 21 years old
Minimum number of years in agribusiness – 2 years
Sector: Agriculture and related sub-sectors
Employ at least one or more persons
Minimum annual revenue – R50 000
Must have at least a matric (this may be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
English language proficiency
Access to device for online learning and basic computer literacy
The programme is scheduled to be delivered in a blended format comprising of a combination of asynchronous and synchronous lessons. The blended format aims to facilitate the inclusion of participants in rural outskirts of South Africa as well as women juggling multiple roles.
For more details, visit the website.
