Nairobi
<p>Funded by United Kingdom (UK) International Development, the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme is organizing two in-person workshops to enable women-led businesses to navigate and succeed in corporate supply chains. The workshops are implemented in collaboration with the SheTrades Hub in Kenya, hosted by the Absa Bank Kenya. </p><p> </p><p>This workshop aims to:</p><ul><li>Enhance knowledge and awareness of women-led businesses on the ecosystem of corporate supply chains, supplier contracts and requirements as well as corporate relationships. </li><li>Boost understanding and accessibility of private sector offerings and services specifically tailored for women.</li><li>Create an interactive platform for women to engage with private sector representatives, gaining insights into opportunities and resources available.</li><li>Foster networking and partnership opportunities between women and private sector entities.</li><li>Identify and address specific challenges and gaps that women-led businesses face in entering and succeeding in corporate supply chains.</li><li>Provide practical insights into corporate expectations, particularly regarding the selection criteria and application processes of large corporations like Safaricom, Unilever, etc.</li></ul><p> </p><p><strong>TARGET AUDIENCE</strong></p><p>Women-led businesses and corporations, with the following sectoral focus:</p><ul><li>21 March: ICT, tech, tourism, consulting service (services) </li><li>22 March: textile and apparels; manufacturing and agriculture </li></ul><p> </p><p><strong>HOW TO PARTICIPATE? </strong></p><p>The participation in the event is <strong>free of charge, however, limited spots are available.</strong> Please register:</p><p><strong>Thursday, 21 March 2024</strong></p><ul><li>Women-led businesses and corporations in ICT, tech, tourism, consulting service: <a href="https://surveys.intracen.org/response/G2tIYnJZRAcCblF0V1J5S0d9cng">here…, 22 March 2024</strong></p><ul><li>Women-led businesses and corporations in textile and apparels; manufacturing and agriculture: <a href="https://surveys.intracen.org/response/G2tIYnJZRAcBblRyV1J5S0d7cX4">here…;
<p>The project aims at leveraging the Ethical Fashion Initiative business model and its experience in managing structured value and supply chains in Kenya to contribute to climate resilient growth and to a more inclusive society for women and youth in East Africa, and the continent at large. The targeted project outcome is<strong> “Increased competitiveness and participation of micro and small artisanal and design businesses from Kenya in the international, regional, national value chain of the fashion and lifestyle industry.</strong>” The project targets 2,500 direct beneficiaries, 65% of whom women and youth, from marginalized communities of artisans, micro-producers and design entrepreneurs. It also focuses strongly on sustainable fashion production: promoting circular design and production, use of renewable sources of energy, use of organic or recycled materials, processes that requires carbon-insetting. The adoption of the full EFI-ESG agenda (Due Diligence, Performance Monitoring and Corporate Sustainability Reporting) will ensure the conduct of socially responsible business in all project's operations.</p>
<p>The Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) aims to promote economic growth in the East African Community (EAC) through private sector development and export promotion. It seeks to enhance sustainable and inclusive intra-African trade, pan-African trade, and trade with the European Union (EU). MARKUP II will address trade barriers, value addition, compliance, trade facilitation, investment, technology transfer, and institutional support. The programme has a total budget of €40 million, funded by the EU under the Sub-Saharan Africa Multi-Annual Indicative Programme from 2023 to 2027. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the only implementation agency, working in partnership with the EU regional Delegation, the EAC Secretariat and the governments of six EAC member states. MARKUP II builds on the achievements of its predecessor, MARKUP I, streamlining procedures, supporting enterprises, and facilitating international trade. The sectors of intervention are: avocado, cocoa, coffee, essential oils, French beans, gum Arabic, horticulture, leather, packaging, spices and tea.</p>
<p>This project promotes economic empowerment activities through support in digital service sector to increase income and business opportunities for refugees and MSMEs, with particular focus on women and youth, in Kenya and Pakistan. It is implemented under the Refugee Empowerment through Markets Initiative (REMI) to foster digital, entrepreneurship and freelancing skills, and to support local MSMEs to improve competitiveness through digital marketing. </p><p>The project is developed in partnership with Visa Foundation to scale the work that ITC had piloted in Kakuma camp, and to pilot ITC's work with refugees in Balochistan, Pakistan. </p>
