When women are economically empowered, they re-invest in their families and communities, producing a multiplier effect that spurs economic growth and contributes to global peace and stability. Yet, lack of access to finance is one of the major barriers facing women entrepreneurs around the world.
While the women’s access-to-finance gap is well documented, little research exists which examines viable approaches that improve access to capital for women entrepreneurs. Without proven approaches, investment funds will not apply a gender lens to their investments, which perpetuates this gap. The Second Chance Success project seeks to identify and test strategies that remove barriers to women entrepreneurs’ access to capital. By sharing the results, best practices, and lessons learned from the Second Chance Success pilot, the project can make the business case to finance women entrepreneurs and also why GLI approaches are effective. This, in turn, can build the confidence of investors. Ultimately, greater investor confidence will lead to increased capital flows to women-owned businesses and investments that use a gender lens.
MEDA’s GROW2 project is negotiating with Dunyiya to provide business development services and a matching grant award of $100,000 Canadian. Dunyiya would use that money to expand its business by setting up a shelling center close to GROW2 project clients to create jobs for women entrepreneurs.
MEDA Risk Capital Fund aims to support the organization’s programs and strategic goals Some MEDA supporters are surprised to learn that the organization holds a
Ashley Bontrager Lehman has a passion for her family business. When she and several other industry veterans were creating and naming a new recreational vehicle for a new recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer, they were going to call it Element RV, with her being the fire. They ended up establishing Ember RV. And yes, she’s providing the spark to make this company successful.
Sometimes, the sale of a family-controlled business is better than trying to pass it on to a third generation of family management. Especially when the interests of 40 shareholders from multiple generations of several families have to be considered, Bob Mullet says.
Lance Woodbury, a Kansas native and son of a Presbyterian minister, has done mediation and succession consulting with family businesses across the US for almost three decades. He has authored two books on family businesses and writes a weekly e-mail newsletter entitled Faith & Family Business.
Employee burnout is a major problem that is worsening labor shortages across North America, Helen Hayes says. In a typical year, the average American works 100 hours more than a Briton, 300 hours more than a French employee, and 400 more hours than a German.
A shelling solution: Ghanaian firm reduces drudgery for women ground nut farmers | Why does MEDA have an investment fund? | When selling a family business makes sense | Ember builds on Indiana family RV tradition | Are worker shortages linked to burnout?
Delving deeper into the topic of “knowledge is power: harnessing technology for greater gender equality.” Exploring the challenges that women face in accessing ICTs and the opportunities that these technologies provide for empowering women.
In 2022, MEDA decided to synthesize learnings and update the GEM Framework based on the feedback received from clients and the changing needs of the sector. The revised GEM Framework and its accompanying manual now include a comprehensive approach that encompasses not only gender equality but also diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Consultancy to conduct a study on Africa as a domiciliation jurisdiction for investment vehicles and funds, deadline May 5th, 2023.
If you asked Omar what he thought he would be doing for work a few years ago, the answer probably wouldn’t have been farming. Like many young people in Senegal, he moved to another country to seek other work opportunities.
Last month, MEDA hosted the first Agricultural Value Chains Fair in Senegal. From February 25th to 27th, 2023, it worked with the Biodiversity & CIAT Alliance and the Adaption et Valorisation Entrepreneueuriales en Irrigation (et Agriculture) Rurales (AVENIR) project’s implementing partners.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.
MEDA International is a Canadian non-share capital not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates is a 501(c)(3) status non-profit organization in the United States: EIN 23-7398678.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada is a registered charity in Canada: No. 107 691 057 RR0001.
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