PROGRAMME 2022
The D . E . A . R MSME Programme 2 was a follow up of the Pilot programme in partnership with UK KENYA TECH HUB to select and train 40 Female entrepreneurs from the Coast and Eastern region to be Digitally Enabled Adaptive and Resilient based on a roadshow held in Mombasa in Nov 2020 . The outcome of this road show showed that there were entrepreneurs in the region eager to network , share their experiences , showcase their products , and learn more on how to grow and scale .
The preparation for Phase 2 of the programme commenced in in October 2021 , with Curriculum development , outreach and selection carried out between 15th October and 30th November 2021 . The 8-week training schedule ran between 4th November 2021 and 10th February 2022 .
PROGRAMME AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Digitally Enabled Adaptive and Resilient ( DEAR ) MSMEs programme was to :
1 . Impart skills and knowledge to female and female led MSMEs on the following areas - digital skills , ( i . e . increase digital understanding beyond social media ), financing , sourcing and procurement , proper business management skills , basic accounting , legal , government and administrative resources , and processes , necessary { right } structures for an MSME and formalization , etc . - that can help them promote and manage their businesses more efficiently , save time and money , and gain greater access to markets .
3 . Matchmaking Bring together a cohort of collaborating partners such as MSME business advisory and MSME finance / grant partners , who can mentor , advise and provide opportunities to the MSMEs to access finance , and adopt and integrate digitization into their businesses such as e-commerce and digital financial solutions that can become enablers to help female-owned MSMEs .
The Phase 2 programme content consisted of 8 weekly training sessions , 5 Masterclasses , Business Visits , One on one Business coaching sessions and a final Pitching session to potential investors . Phase 2 also included an introduction onto our eLearning platform : Passport to Business .
The 40 participants were selected from the Eastern and Coast region which includes : Kitui , Taita , Taveta , Voi , Machakos , Kilifi , Mombasa , Malindi , Joska , Mvita Kwale and Kinango .
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2 . To build a female community of MSME entrepreneurs that offers social , and community support to members throughout the duration of the project ; to share resources from implementing partners ; and where the women MSME owners can connect with each other to access new markets , build new relationships , and gain more confidence regarding entrepreneurship
Kenya Cottage - DEAR Edition