US Embassy in partnership with BYBT launches third year of AWE programme

Barbados: The US Embassy, in partnership with the Barbados Youth Business Trust – BYBT, has launched its third year of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) on Tuesday.

This is a six-month program that will provide an opportunity to the women entrepreneurs who have skills, resources, and the networks needed to start and scale successful businesses. Twenty-eight female entrepreneurs from Barbados would take part in this year’s program, joining participants in over 70 countries; this also includes recently launched academies in Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda.

US Ambassador to Barbados – Linda Taglialatela, while her address, noticed the success of the program since its start in 2019 and stated, “I have seen how the women in this program have grown in confidence – in their business ideas, poised when explaining them to others, and self-assured that taking the risk to follow their dream was the right choice.”

Following the statement, Linda added that “The US Embassy, working with our civil society partners, remains committed to realizing the full participation of women in the economy.”

AWE is a facilitated practice, utilizing the business curriculum developed by the Arizona State University Thunderbird School of Global Management. Expert speakers, business leaders, and successful entrepreneurs complement the curriculum by providing realistic strategies to achieve business success.

So far, more than 50 Barbadian women have been graduated from the academy since it was started. The US Embassy’s partnership with BYBT is part of the US government’s commitment to supporting economic development and diversification in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean region.

Providing women with the tools required to create and grow their own businesses, raise capital, and adequately network with other successful business owners adds to the stability, security, and prosperity of the region.

Besides this, the BYBT General Manager – Cardell Fergusson, cited, “Through the AWE program & the business development support offered by the BYBT, we have been able to present the participants with the opportunity to develop and grow. We are extremely proud of their achievement & continue to walk beside them, offering the help they need to realize their goals. We value our partnership with the US Embassy in Bridgetown and seek to create greater impact with their support.”