InspireHer Contest: Unlocking women entrepreneurs for a more inclusive MENA economy
24 March 2025 – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in strategic partnership with the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), announces the launch of “InspireHer: Transforming Financial Access and Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region”, an initiative aimed at dismantling long-standing barriers to financial inclusion faced by women across nine countries in the MENA region, including Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya.
Women entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey are encouraged to apply to one of three categories. The New Venture Category is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs with innovative ideas aimed at overcoming financial barriers or promoting women’s economic empowerment, and for projects in the 0–2 year stage. The Established Business Category welcomes applications from founders or CEOs who have successfully developed start-ups or SMEs and are looking to expand their businesses. Lastly, the Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Award is open to influential women entrepreneurs who have made significant impacts in their fields, irrespective of their participation in other categories.
Prizes across the categories range from $1,500 to $3,000. However, InspireHer extends beyond monetary awards. Winners and finalists will also benefit from features in articles within UAB’s official magazine, visibility across regional platforms, tailored capacity-building workshops provided by UNIDO, and the opportunity to participate in the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum 2026, connecting them with global investors and decision-makers.
An InspireHer award ceremony will be held during the UfM Women Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Palermo, Italy, on 16–17 July 2025. The event will centre around enhancing women’s access to finance in business, aligning with broader regional efforts to translate recognition into actionable policies promoting women’s entrepreneurial growth.
The evaluation criteria will include innovation – assessing the novelty and originality of the business idea or solution; the potential positive effects on financial inclusion and women’s empowerment; the feasibility and sustainability of the business model; and the potential for growth and replication in other parts of the MENA region.
Applications open on 24 March 2025, with a submission deadline of 5 of May 2025. Finalists will be announced in June 2025, leading up to the award ceremony on 16 July 2025
