El Salvador grants seed funding to 178 women entrepreneurs graduating from Mujer Emprende

El Salvador has awarded more than $331,000 in nonrefundable seed capital to 178 women entrepreneurs who completed the Mujer Emprende program.

The initiative, implemented by the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises, CONAMYPE, works with the Salvadoran Institute for Women’s Development, ISDEMU, the El Salvador Agency for International Cooperation and the Office of the Presidential Commissioner for Government Operations and Cabinet. The European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, AECID, supported the program.

Mujer Emprende aims to strengthen women’s economic independence by giving participants resources to launch new businesses or expand ventures they already operate. The beneficiaries come from districts including Comasagua, San Martín, Tonacatepeque, Santa Ana, San Miguel, Tecoluca, Apaneca and Jocoaitique.

The grants may finance productive assets, raw materials, supplies, furniture, mobile structures and technical services for innovation and process improvements. Recipients may also use the money to design promotional materials and prepare production spaces. As part of the program, each entrepreneur will provide a contribution equal to 3% of the amount received, a requirement intended to support the sustainability and growth of the businesses.