The Powered by Women project is implemented by CARE International West Bank/Gaza, in partnership with the Business Women Forum – Palestine (BWF) and Juzoor for Health and Social Development, and funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

Powered by Women is a project that has been implemented in 8 countries, with a target reach of 1 million women through 100 civil society organizations. In Palestine, the project aims to reach 19,458 women, targeting 9 locations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Through Powered by Women, BWF seeks to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by addressing their evolving needs, enhancing their capacity to withstand crises, and creating an enabling ecosystem for women's economic participation. The project emphasizes inclusive recovery and long-term empowerment of women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in vulnerable and high-risk sectors. This project integrates CARE and BWF's gender-transformative approach, focusing on women's leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), and engaging men and boys as key actors to address household- and community-level barriers.

Key Project Pillars

• Women's leadership
• The Right to a Life Free from Violence and Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health and Rights
• Women's Economic Justice/Empowerment
• Cross-cutting areas:
  • Institutional Strengthening and granting
  • Social and behavioral change
  • Enhancing an enabling environment for entrepreneurs

Over four years, the project targets 100 women entrepreneurs who have started or wish to expand their businesses due to a real market opportunity, not just out of necessity.

The program targets women who own small and medium enterprises registered with official authorities, who have launched their businesses in response to a viable market opportunity and have the capacity and readiness to expand and enter new markets.

• During the first year, 25 women-led businesses will be selected to participate in a business development program (35 days) that combines personal and leadership skills building, technical assistance, and resilience training.
• The best projects will compete based on specific criteria for 10 growth grants — real funding to expand their businesses.
• The competition is tough — only the businesses most ready for growth and sustainability will receive the grants.
• This is your opportunity to accelerate your business success and confidently move toward expansion!

Applications are accepted online only from [start date, 2025] until [end date, 2026]

Before you apply, please ensure that:

• All required fields in the application form are completed.
• You have reviewed the eligibility criteria carefully.

Important Notes:

• Incomplete or non-compliant applications will not be considered.
• Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.