Final Grant Component of Women Energy Entrepreneurs (WEE) Program Launched
Today, the Millennium Foundation Kosovo (MFK) has launched the final component of the Women in Energy Entrepreneurs (WEE) Program: the Pilot SIMPLE Group. the SIMPLE Group provides grants for women-owned micro-businesses and startups in selected municipalities across Kosovo. These grants are designed to help women entrepreneurs in Kosovo grow their businesses through a more efficient use of energy.
The Pilot grant project for the SIMPLE Group will initially be implemented in the following municipalities: Ferizaj, Fushë Kosova, Gjakova, Gjilan, Gracanica, North Mitrovica, Podujeva, Prishtina, and Prizren. Women entrepreneurs whose businesses are located in these municipalities, who own at least 51% of their business, and who employ fewer than five workers, can now start applying for grants up to €3,000, including a 15% own contribution. Startup businesses that are running but not yet registered are strongly encouraged to apply. Entrepreneurs who are awarded grants will have to formally register their businesses as part of the grant conditions (prior to the verification of the project); otherwise, the grant funds must be returned to MFK.
MFK is delighted to have HELP —Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, a well known non-governmental organization from Germany, join efforts in supporting grant implementation for the Pilot Group “SIMPLE”. The HELP consultants will support unregistered businesses in the registration process.
To help women entrepreneurs in assessing and understanding which solutions might be suitable to grow their businesses through a more efficient use of energy, a number of “Information Sessions” will be organized by HELP in all of the selected municipalities. These sessions will be held from May 17th—28th, 2021.
Please see the HELP and WEE website for the Application Form and for detailed information about the selection and evaluation criteria for grants under the Pilot Group SIMPLE. The websites also show several inspirational ideas about energy efficiency solutions in different business sectors.
Applications for the Pilot Group SIMPLE grants are open until 4th June 2021, at 22:00.
Women Energy Entrepreneurs-WEE is part of the Women in Energy Program – an activity implemented by Millennium Foundation Kosovo. MFK is an accountable entity responsible for implementation of the $49 million Threshold agreement, signed by the Republic of Kosovo and Millennium Challenge Corporation in 2017. MFK’s mission statement calls for accelerating Kosovo’s transition to energy independence and good governance. Kosovo Threshold Program addresses two key constraints to Kosovo’s economic growth: an unreliable supply of electricity; and real and perceived weakness in rule of law, government accountability and transparency.