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Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean announced today that Alberta Women Entrepreneurs will receive $100,000 for NextStep to Success, a training and peer-mentoring program that helps Indigenous women start their businesses and create jobs.
“We believe our communities are strongest when women are full participants in entrepreneurship,” said Marcela Mandeville, CEO of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs.
The grant will allow AWE to deliver NextStep to Success, which will provide guidance, expertise and peer-mentoring to Indigenous women entrepreneurs, who are ready to develop a comprehensive business plan. It is comprised of seven sessions addressing business plan essentials, and participants benefit from the support of a peer circle led by a facilitator.
NextStep is one of eight province-wide programs to receive funding from the $1.5 million Status of Women grant program.
“My journey to start my own business came from a place where I could see ways to break down the stereotypes and showcase the beauty of my culture. I also realized how much a program like this would have really changed things for me,” said Carrie Belcourt, founder of Mother Earth Essentials.
With this grant, AWE will also run The NextStep to Success Train the Trainer Program. The program provides training on how to deliver the NextStep’s curriculum to facilitators from across the province.
In partnership with Indigenous communities, this program provides much-needed support to women who face more barriers than most.
“We hope to create lasting partnerships between our people and the Alberta government to create sustainable economic development for all Albertans,” said Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Councillor Erwin (Dino) Letendre.