POUR ELLES Project – Technical and Financial Support to Women Entrepreneurs in the DRC (Kinshasa & Kikwit)

The POUR ELLES Project is a €2.5 million grant facility implemented by Expertise France to strengthen the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), specifically in Kinshasa and Kikwit.

The programme seeks to reduce gender inequalities by strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and providing structured technical support, financial services, and empowerment pathways to women-led enterprises.

This call specifically focuses on Result 2 of the programme:
Supporting women entrepreneurs through structured technical assistance and financial inclusion mechanisms to improve business performance, sustainability, and economic resilience.

The programme aims to reach:

• At least 600 women entrepreneurs
• Provide financial support to at least 400 women entrepreneurs

Importantly, this call does not fund individual entrepreneurs directly. Instead, it funds eligible support organisations that will implement structured programmes for women entrepreneurs.

Funding Envelope

• Total available budget: €2,500,000
• Number of grants expected: 4–6 organisations

Grant Size Per Lot

Lot 1 – Technical Support & Business Coaching

• €150,000 – €500,000

Lot 2 – Financial Services & Financial Inclusion

• €150,000 – €800,000

Lot 3 – Combined Technical + Financial Support

• €300,000 – €1,000,000

Co-Financing

• Up to 90% of eligible costs may be covered
• Minimum 10% co-financing required

Eligible Applicants (Lead Applicants Must):

• Be a legal entity
• Be non-profit OR operate without profit margins on the grant
• Be established in DRC for at least 5 years
• Have offices in Kinshasa and/or Kikwit
• Have managed at least one similar international grant in the last 3 years
• Demonstrate technical and operational capacity

Eligible organisation types include:

• NGOs / Associations
• Cooperatives
• Private enterprises
• Financial service operators authorised in DRC

Final Beneficiaries

Women entrepreneurs:

• With at least 1 year of business activity
• Or 6 months for innovative sectors (tech, digital, sustainability)
• Must own at least 50% of the business

In Kikwit, early-stage entrepreneurs with viable business ideas may also be supported.

Eligible Activities

Lot 1 – Technical Support & Empowerment

• Business coaching and training
• Leadership development
• Legal and formalisation support
• Access to markets and trade fairs
• Financial literacy training
• Gender-responsive tools and systems
• Networking and ecosystem development

Lot 2 – Financial Support Mechanisms

• Non-profit repayable advances
• Honor loans
• Voucher systems
• Equipment grants
• Financial intermediation services

Lot 3 – Combination of Lot 1 and 2 activities

Support to Third Parties

Financial redistribution to women entrepreneurs is allowed:

• Maximum €40,000 per entrepreneur
• Maximum €1,000,000 redistribution envelope per organisation
• Clear selection criteria and monitoring mechanisms required
• Expertise France must validate disbursements

Project Duration

• 12 months implementation
• 18 months contractual period
• Possible extension to 15 months (subject to approval)

Geographic Focus

Projects must be implemented in:

• Kinshasa
• Kikwit
  (DRC)

Application Timeline

• Call launched: 9 January 2026
• Information sessions: 10 & 18 February 2026 (Online)
• Deadline for clarification questions: 28 March 2026
• Full application deadline: 7 April 2026 – 12:00 PM (Paris time)
• Notification of results: June 2026
• Contract signature: July 2026

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the Expertise France POPS platform.

Late or incomplete applications will be rejected.