As the Friday, November 27th deadline approaches for completing applications, local facilitator Nerissa Golden is encouraging business women to apply for the WINC Accelerator Program.
The accelerator is designed to offer 150 Caribbean women in 12 territories the opportunity to be mentored over eight months with the goal of expanding their business.
Golden explained that the Women’s Innovation Network in the Caribbean (WINC) is one of the major programs now in the region to push business ownership and growth. She added that Montserrat is part of the Antigua/Barbuda and St. Kitts/Nevis joint AP which provides a wonderful opportunity for women in this area to collaborate.
Through sessions called peer learning, the business women will receive support as they work to improve their ventures. The local facilitator said the businesses do not need to be legally registered at the onset but the women must commit to doing so by the time the program is completed.
Currently no women on island have completed the application.
One of the challenges Golden said women were experiencing was the time to complete the online application. “The ladies need to set aside about one hour to complete it from start to finish. The information helps us to ascertain if they are the best fit for the program and also to ensure we find them the best mentor and a coach.”
Another limitation for some she said might be the cost. “More than 90% of the value of the program has already been covered through the World Bank and the Canadian Development Bank. The cost to each women is limited at less than US$500 and can be paid over the eight-month period through a payment plan. It is important that each business woman recognise the need to invest in herself as part of growing her business.”
For women who need assistance in completing the form, please contact Nerissa Golden at 496-3452.
The application can be found at www.empowher.biz . For additional information read the Frequently Asked Questions here.
Deadline is Friday, November 27, 2015 at 11PM EST.
