Deadline for Women Entrepreneur Program Set for 16 June

# Women Entrepreneurs Programme Application Deadline 16 June Applications have opened for the EWA Programme, launched in Turkey to promote inclusivity and diversity in the agriculture and food sectors, increase early-stage women-led ventures, and provide entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge, confidence and support to develop their business ideas. Among applications submitted by 16 June, 10 selected women entrepreneurs will participate in online training and events for six months, receiving both one-on-one and expert mentoring. The winner of the country final will receive EUR 10,000 and the runner-up EUR 5,000. The Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme, supported by the European Union's Food Innovation Fund (EIT Food), is being implemented in Turkey through a partnership between Impact Hub Istanbul's food and agriculture entrepreneurship platform Foodback and Topraktan. Organised by an all-women team and supporting the development of women entrepreneurs who bring solutions to the global climate crisis from Turkey, the EU fund-backed incubation programme's final application deadline is 16 June.

Who can apply to the programme?

The criteria required to apply to the programme are listed as follows: ● The founder or co-founder of the venture must be a woman ● Reside in Turkey ● Be at an early stage of a venture that will create impact in agriculture and food sectors ● If the venture is incorporated, its operations must not exceed two years ● If the venture is incorporated, it must have raised a maximum of EUR 30,000 in total investment since company formation

What will happen in the programme this year?

The EWA Programme, being held for the fourth time this year, has been organised for three years covering 2020-2022 in Turkey. EWA 2023 will differ from previous years. This year, EWA will provide access to the European network. Entrepreneurs participating in the EIT Food EWA programme will be given the opportunity to meet with other ventures. Additionally, mentors will be assigned based on an analysis of entrepreneurs' needs. Ventures will be brought together with sector experts and sectoral knowledge will be shared. Necessary meetings will be arranged to enable R&D-focused ventures to use institutional laboratories. Ventures will have the opportunity to prepare pitch presentations with two different experts from the EWA team. Pitch decks will be shared with investment funds in Foodback's network.

How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will be reviewed by subject-matter experts and evaluated in light of criteria communicated by EIT Food. After a shortlist of 25 candidates is drawn up, the EWA team will get to know entrepreneurs more closely in online interviews. By 30 June at the latest, 10 ventures eligible to participate in the programme will be identified, and the programme will start on 1 July.