The InspireHer Contest, is an initiative of the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), in partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), seeking to significantly transform financial access and entrepreneurship opportunities for women throughout the MENA region.
Recognizing the critical importance of women’s economic empowerment, InspireHer aims to address the notable challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly in accessing financial services and business development opportunities.
1. The “New Venture Category” targets early-stage entrepreneurs with businesses operational for up to two years.
2. The “Established Business Category” welcomes enterprises actively operating for one to three years. Both categories provide significant financial awards, granting the first, second, and third-place winners $3,000, $2,000, and $1,500, respectively.These awards support diverse business needs such as initial business setups, operational expansions, marketing strategies, and market entry efforts.
3. Additionally, the InspireHer Contest offers a distinguished ‘Women Entrepreneur Award 2025’. This special recognition honours one extraordinary entrepreneur who demonstrates significant impact in advancing financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment, providing her with a $2,000 grant to further enhance her business initiatives and community impact.
4. Recognizing Innovation in FinTech, AgTech, and Sustainability
This exclusive award is designed to recognize outstanding women-led companies operating in FinTech, AgTech, or Sustainability across SANAD’s eligible countries: Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt.
Key Highlights:
Categories and 3 associated grants
Winners and finalists will benefit extensively from specialised capacity-building programmes delivered by UNIDO. These include professional development workshops focused on pitching skills, comprehensive enterprise development strategies, investment promotion training, tailored business counselling, mentorship opportunities, and exclusive networking access at the prestigious World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum.
The InspireHer awards ceremony will culminate at the esteemed UfM Women Business Forum on 16-17 july 2025, in Palermo, Italy. This event will gather influential women entrepreneurs, industry leaders, financial institutions, and policymakers from across the region to celebrate, network, and advance the cause of women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
