All events have been arranged in collaboration with the Swedish Embassies in these countries. Maria Berlekom, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy in Dar es Salaam kicked off the event held there on March 8, outlining the importance of the private sector in the context of Tanzania’s development. Two IAP team members then took the stage to give an introduction to inclusive business, how IAP supports such projects, how businesses can apply for grant support and shared some advice for applicants based on the past two funding windows since the programme started in April 2011. Then, the floor was opened up to a lively question and answer session.
Questions ranging from 'Should I apply for a small or large grant?' to 'What counts as cost-sharing elements?' were amongst those discussed with the businesses. Answer to these and other questions are available on the FAQ page.
In the first two cycles of the IAP programme, there were only 10 applications from businesses with operations based in Tanzania. The embassy is hoping to greatly increase this number at the end of this application period.
A similar event was held in Kigali on March 16. Mikael Lindvall, Charge d’Affaires, at the Swedish Embassy opened the Rwandan launch event. Among the organisations that attended, Rwanda Private Sector Federation appreciated the new funding opportunity that IAP provides and will help spread the information to its own members. Also here, the participants were very active and many asked if more advisory support is available to companies in order to prepare their business plans or help develop ideas (which is currently not offered by IAP outside public workshops).
IAP extends its outreach to MENA
As the Egyptians celebrated one year since the eventful spring 2011, IAP made its regional launch for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. on March 5 in Cairo and two weeks later in Amman. The events filled up with entrepreneurs, academics and business organisations. The concept of inclusive business is completely new here and raised many questions, albeit a number of social entrepreneurs recognised the philosophy behind the terminology. In this region, IAP is particularly encouraging businesses that are developing ways to help enhance the access to clean water or targeting unemployed youth to apply for grants.
For those of you not able to attend any of these events and want to learn about either how to apply to IAP or just to learn more about what inclusive business is, one of the events were filmed and can be viewed on demand.
Pictures from some of the events can also be found on Facebook - join our Innovations Against Poverty group.
