When an award becomes a springboard for the community

For four years, the ‘Awa Prize’ project has supported women entrepreneurs making a significant social and community impact. This international cooperation initiative, financed by Belgium and implemented by Enabel, aimed to support women’s entrepreneurship in Belgium’s partner countries.

Through three international competitions held in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the project selected 27 women entrepreneurs across 13 countries and provided them with tailored support through grants ranging from 1,500 to 50,000 euros. This support has borne fruit. Now, through a series of articles, witness the lasting impact the Awa Prize has on the women entrepreneurs supported by Enabel.

Turning individual recognition into knowledge-sharing and lasting impact

Winning an award is often seen as a personal achievement. Winning the Awa Prize above all served as a springboard, a catalyst to go further and make a greater impact, inspiring other women and men to follow in the prize winners footsteps.

Rather than investing solely in the growth of their own businesses, Aïcha Macky, Asmahan Sinokrot, Janet Kabugho and Nabalo Tarnagda Larba decided to use this recognition and the associated resources to strengthen knowledge transfer, share their skills and help their communities become more professional. A significant step, particularly in contexts where access to training is limited, especially for women.

Creating economic opportunities for rural women in Uganda

In Uganda, Janet Kabugho, founder of the Skills Centrum Rwenzori, helps rural women – including refugees and internally displaced persons – achieve economic independence through craftwork. Her organisation offers courses in weaving, basketry and the making of handcrafted items.

Janet, the winner in the Scale-up category in 2024, received 25,000 euro, which she invested in developing the range of courses at her centre – such as courses in African batik, sewing and basket weaving. The Awa Prize was also used to boost the visibility and brand image of the handcrafted products produced at her training centre and, more broadly, of the crafts sector in the Rwenzori region. The visibility Janet gained through the Awa Prize had a snowball effect, subsequently enabling her to secure over 25,000 euros in grants from new funders.

Furthermore, with support from Enabel, the Skills Centrum Rwenzori could train 147 of the region’s women in crafts and the Centrum could increase its turnover.

Training the upcoming generation of women audiovisual creators in Niger

Aïcha Macky, a socially conscious filmmaker from Niger and founder of Tabou Productions, won the 2024 People’s Choice Award. She decided to invest a sizeable portion of the 50,000-euro prize money in setting up a mobile studio, so she could organise training for 38 people, mainly young people and women.

They were trained in sound and camera work as well as digital marketing, thereby improving their career prospects in the audiovisual sector. Digital equipment was also provided to some young women trainees so that they can continue their learning beyond the training programme.

The mobile studio also enabled Tabou Productions to produce television programmes outside the capital, thereby contributing to the decentralisation of audiovisual production and the inclusion of remote regions.

 “The Awa Prize made a dream, which had long been buried in my heart, come true.” Beyond the growth in turnover, it was a personal journey that enabled me to change these young women’s lives.”

Promoting Palestinian crafts and empowering women leaders

In Jerusalem, Asmahan Sinokrot, founder of the Talleh Cultural Centre, works to preserve and promote Palestinian crafts. Through training programmes, it enables women artisans to acquire technical and interpersonal skills whilst promoting a cultural heritage that is under threat.

Asmahan, who was voted 2nd in the People’s Choice Award in 2022, used the 10,000 euro prize money to raise her business’s profile and boost sales, notably by purchasing digital equipment (computers, design software) specifically for promoting her products. Furthermore, improvements to her centre’s management and the introduction of new specialist training programmes enhanced the skills of staff and the quality of products.

The Awa Prize therefore enabled a strategic investment that is now benefiting a growing number of women trained at her centre.

“For me, the Awa Prize is a wonderful opportunity to amplify our efforts, to express our passion, and to inspire others in our community to pursue their dreams without fear.”

Professional shea processing in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s Nabalo Tarnagda Larba is the founder of the Song Taaba Cooperative, which specialises in processing shea nuts into shea butter, soap and ointments.

Ending 2nd in the Scale-up category in 2023, she received a prize of 10,000 euro, which she used to boost the visibility of her products through more effective marketing and packaging strategies. She also took specialist classes in soap-making techniques in Morocco, with a company specialising in this field. This subsequently enabled her to develop seven new products.

Nabalo Tarnagda Larba now feels confirmed as a woman entrepreneur and is confident in her leadership role.

“Enabel’s support enabled me to boost my profitability, improve team management and enhance my company’s credibility with financial partners.”

From individual recognition to collective impact

A common thread runs through these four stories: the Awa Prize is about more than just presenting a trophy or providing financial support. It acts as a catalyst, enabling the award winners to promote their knowledge, share it and embed it firmly within their communities.

Would you like to find out more about these women entrepreneurs?