Afghanistan
Entrepreneurship
Women-led
Enterprise Development

Catalytic Capital for Women Entrepreneurs Driving High-Impact Businesses

 

Funding Amount: USD $25,000 – $750,000

Application Deadline: 20 August 2026

Region: Global

Status: Open

 

About the Grant

The Women-Led Business Grant is designed to support women entrepreneurs leading and scaling high-impact businesses across all sectors. The programme provides non-dilutive funding together with leadership coaching and access to a global peer network to help women-led enterprises accelerate growth, strengthen operations, and increase their social, economic, and environmental impact.

The grant aims to empower women business leaders by providing catalytic capital that can be used to unlock growth opportunities, improve competitiveness, and expand market reach.

Funding Available

Successful applicants may receive funding ranging from USD $25,000 to USD $750,000.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to businesses worldwide that meet one of the following criteria:

• Businesses with at least 51% women ownership
• Businesses led by women in C-suite leadership positions
• Women-founded enterprises
• Women-led businesses operating across any sector or industry

What Can Be Funded?

Funding may be used for:

• Working capital and business expansion activities
• Pilot projects and pilot deployments
• Technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives
• Climate and ESG-aligned investments
• Market research and feasibility studies
• Equipment acquisition and technology procurement
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities

Programme Benefits

In addition to funding, selected businesses may benefit from:

• Leadership coaching and business support
• Access to a global peer network of women entrepreneurs
• Opportunities to strengthen organisational capacity
• Support to scale business operations and market reach

Application Process

Applications are submitted through a single online application platform.

Applicants will be required to provide:

• Business information
• Organisation details
• Project description
• Funding request amount
• Expected outcomes and impact metrics

Application Timeline

Application Deadline: 20 August 2026

Decision Timeline: Approximately 4–6 weeks after submission

Additional Information

• No application fees are required
• Applications are assessed through a secure submission process
• Funding decisions are made following programme review and due diligence processes

Click HERE to visit the official website. 

Closing date
Industry
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
​Mining and quarrying
​Manufacturing
​Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
Human health and social work activities
​Other service activities
Website link
https://ifcgrants.org/grants/women-led-business-grant