With robust conceptual frameworks, a systems-thinking approach, and findings from months of research, including interviews, focus groups and surveys with a wide range of entrepreneurs and systems actors in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, we will undertake the following to unlock the potential of young women entrepreneurs in Cambodia in six focus areas:
1. Responsive Business Networks
We will partner with and support existing business networks working to help young women entrepreneurs build their personal networks and grow their businesses sustainably. We’ll focus on networks that are creating inclusive and accessible space and services that enable young women to exercise personal agency to influence network decision making and to access ongoing mentorship that meets their unique needs.
2. Business Skills Building
We will work with organizations and institutions that provide demand-driven technical assistance and regular, quality and sustained business training programs to young women entrepreneurs. We’re interested in the technical side, including support for quality business planning, as well as in ‘so skills,’ so that young women have the confidence needed to pursue their life choices.
Financial capital is critical for business success, but only if it is the right capital that is accessed and managed in responsible and strategic ways. We will work with institutions that are helping to make financing for entrepreneurs accessible and appropriate for their circumstances. We’ll support those that make information about financing available and easy to understand, as well as those that help women to increase their financial literacy so they can better manage their business and personal finances.
We will work with institutions, big and small, that are engaging with policy makers to support a more business friendly environment – one that enables and encourages young women to succeed in pursuing their goals. We will support initiatives that help government to understand where they can improve delivery of information and services that are responsive to the needs of young women entrepreneurs. Linked to this, we will support legal service providers that ensure young women are able to navigate a complex legal and regulatory environment.
5. Appropriate Engagement Platforms
We will support efforts to enable meaningful engagement between young women and key decision makers in government, civil society and the private sector. We know this will require shaking things up a bit, so we will work with non-traditional engagement platforms and mechanisms, and we will support civic leaders that are organizing constructive approaches to affect change through issue-based advocacy.
Underlying everything we do is the recognition that young Cambodian women are living, working and dreaming in a society where widely held norms and expectations restrict their ability to choose certain paths. We will strive to address restrictive social norms, as deeply entrenched as they may be. This will include promoting family support for young women and showcasing positive role models that women can look to for inspiration and motivation.
A flexible approach will enable WE Act to engage with a variety of partners, providing financial, technical and convening assistance to create as much joint value as possible for young women entrepreneurs.
Our partners will include existing actors in the entrepreneurship system, such as :
Do you…
Have strong expertise and experience in one or more of WE Act’s focus areas?
Have a vision and documented objectives that are in line with the activities WE Act seeks to implement?
Demonstrate the ability and/or willingness to monitor and evaluate your activities to show impact?
Have a sustainable plan for your organization going forward?
Embrace learning and adaptation?
Display willingness and ability to engage in a strong cooperative partnership with Pact?
□ Yes □ No
If yes, then let’s act together… WE Act!
With robust conceptual frameworks, a systems-thinking approach, and findings from months of research, including interviews, focus groups and surveys with a wide range of entrepreneurs and systems actors in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, we will undertake the following to unlock the potential of young women entrepreneurs in Cambodia in six focus areas:
1. Responsive Business Networks
We will partner with and support existing business networks working to help young women entrepreneurs build their personal networks and grow their businesses sustainably. We’ll focus on networks that are creating inclusive and accessible space and services that enable young women to exercise personal agency to influence network decision making and to access ongoing mentorship that meets their unique needs.
2. Business Skills Building
We will work with organizations and institutions that provide demand-driven technical assistance and regular, quality and sustained business training programs to young women entrepreneurs. We’re interested in the technical side, including support for quality business planning, as well as in ‘so skills,’ so that young women have the confidence needed to pursue their life choices.
Financial capital is critical for business success, but only if it is the right capital that is accessed and managed in responsible and strategic ways. We will work with institutions that are helping to make financing for entrepreneurs accessible and appropriate for their circumstances. We’ll support those that make information about financing available and easy to understand, as well as those that help women to increase their financial literacy so they can better manage their business and personal finances.
We will work with institutions, big and small, that are engaging with policy makers to support a more business friendly environment – one that enables and encourages young women to succeed in pursuing their goals. We will support initiatives that help government to understand where they can improve delivery of information and services that are responsive to the needs of young women entrepreneurs. Linked to this, we will support legal service providers that ensure young women are able to navigate a complex legal and regulatory environment.
5. Appropriate Engagement Platforms
We will support efforts to enable meaningful engagement between young women and key decision makers in government, civil society and the private sector. We know this will require shaking things up a bit, so we will work with non-traditional engagement platforms and mechanisms, and we will support civic leaders that are organizing constructive approaches to affect change through issue-based advocacy.
Underlying everything we do is the recognition that young Cambodian women are living, working and dreaming in a society where widely held norms and expectations restrict their ability to choose certain paths. We will strive to address restrictive social norms, as deeply entrenched as they may be. This will include promoting family support for young women and showcasing positive role models that women can look to for inspiration and motivation.
A flexible approach will enable WE Act to engage with a variety of partners, providing financial, technical and convening assistance to create as much joint value as possible for young women entrepreneurs.
Our partners will include existing actors in the entrepreneurship system, such as :
Do you…
Have strong expertise and experience in one or more of WE Act’s focus areas?
Have a vision and documented objectives that are in line with the activities WE Act seeks to implement?
Demonstrate the ability and/or willingness to monitor and evaluate your activities to show impact?
Have a sustainable plan for your organization going forward?
Embrace learning and adaptation?
Display willingness and ability to engage in a strong cooperative partnership with Pact?
□ Yes □ No
If yes, then let’s act together… WE Act!
