Fondo Robi Women’s Business Grants

Fondazione Marcegaglia Onlus, through Fondo Robi, invites aspiring female entrepreneurs to apply for business grants aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment and job creation.

Objective

Fondo Robi seeks to support:two new start-up business projects led by women (or by a team with a minimum of 50% female representation ), with innovative and sustainable ideas ready to launch.

Available Funding

Fondazione Marcegaglia Onlus will award two grants of 5.000.000 RWF each to the two most compelling business proposals selected from all submissions. Applicants are therefore encouraged to submit business projects that require an investment of up to 5.000.000 RWF. 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a Rwandan woman (or a team in which at least half of the members are women).
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Present a clear and feasible business plan showing how the grant will be used.
• Demonstrate how the project will create at least one new paid job for a woman within a reasonable timeframe.
• Applicants may originate from Bugesera District or other areas of Rwanda. 
• Applicants must be prepared to begin implementing their business project immediately if awarded the grant. They should not be currently enrolled in education or training programmes that would prevent them from fully committing to the development of the business.

Eligible Business Sectors

Business proposals can be submitted in any sector – such as tailoring, retail, food sector, media etc. – provided they are viable and well thought-out. The selection will prioritize projects that demonstrate careful planning and a clear potential for growth. 

Priority Considerations

Preference will be given to:

• Businesses with a strong potential for job creation, future growth and sustainability, as well as realistic goals and a clear understanding of the local context in which they will operate.
• Businesses to be developed in the District of Bugesera. 
• Innovative start-up ideas, including those from young entrepreneurs, especially former or current beneficiaries of Fondazione Marcegaglia Onlus’s M-VTC and Scholarship projects.
• Applications demonstrating sound management and realistic financial planning.

How to Apply

1. Fill out the application form: Application Form
2. Submit the following documents via email (microcredit@fmorwanda.org ): 
   1. A short biography, answering the following questions: 
      1. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Primary / Secondary / Vocational training / University / Other)
      2. Have you completed any courses, training programmes, or certifications relevant to your business idea?
      3. What types of work have you done in the past?
      4. Have you previously received any funding or support for a business project?
      5. Do you have access to land, equipment, or other resources that could support your business idea?
      6. Why do you want to start this business?
      7. What impact do you hope this business will have on your life?
   2. A brief business plan or concept note (maximum 3 pages), including:
      1. A description of your business project and its main objectives
      2. A breakdown of how you plan to use the grant funds (5,000,000 RWF)

For inquiries or assistance with your application, contact:
0784407522