Transformation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem through a gender-based approach (TEA WEEB)

An Ecosystem Approach to Gender Transformation for Women's Economic Empowerment in Bolivia (TEA WEEB)

Over the past decade, Bolivian women have made unprecedented progress in terms of the dynamism and evolution of women's rights movements, increased education and literacy rates, lower birth rates, increased political participation, and property ownership. Bolivian women are subject to high levels of domestic violence and gender-based inequality, high rates of unemployment, low income and poverty. In addition, approximately 50% of women have a monthly income below the national minimum wage and are more likely to work in poor conditions, in informal jobs, or to be unemployed.

For this reason, the Project aims to promote inclusive economic growth by focusing on women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the environment in which they operate in Bolivia.

The Project, carried out in collaboration with the IES Foundation (Foundation for Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship), will address three main problems faced by women-led MSMEs:

1) the lack of access to quality business development services (BDS) and networks for women-led MSMEs;
2) the unequal participation of women in decision-making spaces and processes, and;
3) a policy environment that does not recognize or respond to the needs and interests of women led MSMEs.

The Project will strengthen the economic and management capacities of 360 women-led micro, small and medium enterprises. 

The improved business development services offered to women-led MSMEs will also network them with other businesses, providing them with sustainable business development services tailored to their needs and interests through an innovative online and face-to-face portal. It will also link them to relevant production and market networks to consolidate and develop their activities.

This project aims to create an enabling and inclusive business environment that will better serve the needs of women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs. It will transform the unequal power relations between women and men within this ecosystem by addressing the root causes of gender inequality.

This includes supporting strong women leaders, as well as developing tools, trainings, and advocacy programs for financial, regulatory, and market institutions, associations, and policy-making bodies to address social biases and discrimination against women. The Project will also strengthen the capacity of the municipal governments where it will be active, Cochabamba, La Paz and Santa Cruz, to respond to the needs and interests of women-led MSMEs through their programs and services.

The Project will promote the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs and their employees, providing quality jobs. At the same time, it will foster a business environment based on a shared purpose and common values that strengthen collective commitment to the long-term sustainability of its gender equality outcomes.