Follow the Mekong Women’s Entrepreneurship Challenge on Facebook.

The challenge aimed to connect enterprising women with the means to grow their businesses—including financing, one-on-one support, peer-based learning, training workshops, and seminars. The 25 finalists participated in a 3-day workshop on innovation, competitiveness, and creativity.

The MWEC tackled the unique business climate barriers that women face in the region. Through a 2010 survey by infoDev, women entrepreneurs in developing countries identified several such challenges, including cultural barriers, as well as a lack of relevant business knowledge, supportive networks, and self-confidence.

 infoDev launched the MWEC in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, with the support from the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Promotion Development Office (SMEPDO).