The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund is a collaborative initiative launched in February 2024 by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
With a target capital of $50 million, the fund aims to empower women entrepreneurs by enhancing their participation in international trade and the digital economy.
The fund focuses on providing financial grants, technical assistance, and access to digital platforms to women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in developing and least-developed countries
Summary of the WEIDE Fund 2025
| Key Information | Details |
| Application Deadline | 22 April to 18 May 2025 |
| Target Beneficiaries | Women-led MSMEs in the formal sector that are currently exporting or have export potential. |
| Participating Countries | Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mongolia, and Nigeria. |
| Funding Amounts | Grants ranging from $2,000 to $30,000, depending on the track. |
| Program Tracks | Two tracks: Discovery Track and Booster Track. |
Benefits of the WEIDE Fund
The WEIDE Fund is designed to:
- Enhance Access to Finance: Provide grants and collaborate with financial institutions to reduce the finance gap for women entrepreneurs.
- Offer Technical Assistance: Deliver training related to digital skills and improving export competitiveness.
- Improve Market Access: Connect women entrepreneurs to digital market platforms to expand their reach.
- Strengthen Support Networks: Create inclusive and effective business ecosystems by leveraging partnerships with both private and public sectors.
Program Structure
The WEIDE Fund operates through two main tracks:
Discovery Track
- Target Group: Women-led micro and small enterprises in the formal sector with export potential.
- Duration: Approximately 9-12 months.
- Support Provided:
- Initial grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
- Technical assistance, including business coaching and development of a business plan.
- Objective: To help businesses increase their competitiveness, improve digital skills, and enhance market access.
Booster Track
- Target Group: Exporting or export-ready women-led small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Duration: Approximately 18 months.
- Support Provided:
- Grants of up to $30,000.
- Bespoke coaching to develop a business acceleration plan.
- Objective: To scale up export activities and expand markets, with a focus on utilising digital platforms
Participating Countries and BSOs
The WEIDE Fund has selected four pilot countries for its initial phase:
Dominican Republic: ProDominicana
- Jordan: Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation
- Mongolia: Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Nigeria: Nigerian Export Promotion Council
Women entrepreneurs in these countries will apply through their respective national Business Support Organizations (BSOs), which will facilitate the application process and provide necessary support.ITC
How to Apply
Click here to visit the website, scroll down and click on apply button and follow the onscreen process.
Application Timeline
- 22 April to 18 May 2025 — Call for applications from women-led MSMES launch in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia and Nigeria
- June 2025 — Selection of winners
Note: Specific application deadlines and procedures will be communicated through the respective BSOs in each participating country.
For more information and application, visit the Official Website: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/womenandtrade_e/weide_e.htm
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