ECoWYERT Program for Youth and Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa

The Enhancing Capacities of Women and Youth-led Enterprises for Regional Trade (ECoWYERT) Program is now open for applications. Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the program offers training opportunities to young people, entrepreneurs, and businesses in South Africa. This initiative aims to enhance skills and foster growth in regional trade. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

- Partners: Mastercard Foundation, COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB), Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA), Trade and Development Fund (TDF)

- Type: Training Program

- Eligible Applicants: Youth and women entrepreneurs, business enterprises

- Eligible Countries: South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe

- Application Deadline: Rolling basis

- Program Duration: 2025 to 2030

About the Opportunity

The ECoWYERT Program seeks to empower youth and women-led enterprises by providing practical, market-focused support. The program is designed for participants at various stages of their business journey, from those seeking employment or starting a business to established enterprises aiming to expand into regional markets. Funding and Benefits

Participants will gain access to

- Practical employability and entrepreneurship training - Business management skills - Financial literacy and record-keeping skills - Marketing and customer engagement strategies - Digital business tools - Guidance on business formalization - Cross-border trade and export readiness skills - Insights into regional market opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Who Is Eligible? Applicants must choose the category that best describes their stage:

- New-to-Trade Youth: Aged 16–35, including NEET youth, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those transitioning to employment or entrepreneurship.

- Existing Traders: Sole traders, rural and peri-urban traders, small-scale cross-border traders, and informal businesses.

- Growing Trade Enterprises: Micro and small businesses, home-based enterprises, and small-scale processors.

- Scaling Trade Enterprises: Medium-sized businesses, formal enterprises, and growth-oriented businesses.

Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The program supports a wide range of business activities, focusing on business planning, financial management, marketing, customer development, market access, and regional trade expansion. Why This Opportunity Matters This program is crucial for empowering youth and women entrepreneurs in South Africa to harness regional trade opportunities. By developing key business skills, participants can drive sustainable growth and economic development in their communities. How to Apply - Review the eligibility criteria and select the appropriate category for your current stage. - Complete the application form available on the ECoWYERT application page. - Submit the application with all required information. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Next Steps Interested applicants should visit the official UNDP South Africa page for more details and ensure their application is complete for consideration.