The following specificities are considered for EDF-w:

• Establish referrals from partner organizations for current and potential female entrepreneurs who have received business trainings and start-up grants;
• Prioritise and encourage businesses in non-stereotypical sectors;
• Incorporate on-the-job training service provision for female jobseekers;
• Identify safe GBV and protection referral pathways.

Background and research:

To better understand the needs and vulnerabilities of female business owners and female jobseekers, in 2021 IOM undertook a feasibility study which determined that women need additional support to grow their businesses. Restrictions to women’s freedom of movement and decision-making in business investments highlighted factors that restrict businesses from reaching their full potential.

The assessment pointed to the importance of:

• Access to capital
• Savings
• Technical support
• Networks
• Trainings

which are often not available to women.

Read the full report here

In 2022, IOM expanded on the feasibility study through an assessment and report into supporting female entrepreneurs in Iraq. The findings of the assessment were developed into recommendations that guided the application process, selection criteria and support mechanisms of EDF-W.

Read the full report here:

Selection Criteria:

The EDF-w uses a multi-stage selection process in which businesses are filtered based on a scoring system supported by a due-diligence process. The below diagram summarizes the various stages businesses go through prior to final grant.

1. EDF-w Start-up Business

• Ability to demonstrate product market fit (i.e. feasibility study, business market analysis, surveys etc.)
• Business operational for 1-12 months
• Female entrepreneurs who have received entrepreneurship training from recognized partners (NGOs, training institutions)
• Business plan that is investment ready
• Ability of business owner to show the intended goods or services that the business will provide to her customers

2. EDF-w Early-Stage Business

• Business demonstrates ability to scale up significantly (i.e. sales and growth figures, business expansion plan, market analysis, surveys etc.)
• Have at least one staff or more staff currently employed.
• Must have been operational between one to three years at the time of the application

The individual who have received entrepreneurship training from recognize (NGOs, and training institution) (optional)

3. EDF-w Early to Later-Stage

• Must have been operational for more than three years at the time of the application
• The business should currently have employees (excluding the businesses owner)
• The business owner is willing to provide on the job training to at least one female jobseeker for a minimum of three months.