Network for Economic Empowerment of Women of the South (N.E.E.W.S.) Presentation by: Inyang Ebong-Harstrup, Deputy Director United Nations Office For South-South Cooperation

WHAT IS N.E.E.W.S. Network for the Economic Empowerment of Women of the South A network of successful/ iconic entrepreneurs, mainly women, who will commit to grow women-owned businesses into major enterprises. A system for business acceleration The focus will include the following areas: Science & Technology Agriculture & Food Security Energy & Energy Security Culture & Design

A Regional Approach in the global South  Africa  Arab States  Caribbean  Central America  South America The Regions of the global South The global South comprises 132 countries

Project Goal “To build a Network to further opportunities for women’s economic empowerment through establishment of an Accelerator to underpin the growth of business women of the global South”

Why NEEWS? - The Background: Women in Public Service Project: Their Request: The capacity to link theoretical dimensions of Women’s Economic Agency to the practical application within their respective national environments A forum to exchange knowledge with each other on a number of issues to support women with entrepreneurship (not just finance), as well as on- going programmes Knowledge of how women from different regions are able to overcome obstacles to manage businesses (laws, policies etc. ) 5 Peer-to-peer interaction as the preferred from of interaction

Objectives of NEEWS: Develop an Accelerator to strengthen productive partnerships to deal with financing and other issues facing women entrepreneurs. Showcase experiences among successful southern women entrepreneurs in order to create investment and business partnership opportunities. (UN partners as well as Private institutions will be invited to participate in this activity). Facilitate on-going capacity development to accelerate women-owned business enterprises (Mentorship and Networking through existing organizations/ companies). Foster the formation of lasting South-South and triangular cooperation and global partnerships and networks to support programmes for women in business.

How NEEWS will work: Identification of successful/ iconic business women in different fields Identification of business women who want to accelerate their businesses Establish the Business Accelerator Confirmation of UN and non-UN partners Resource Mobilization among interested partners Include additional regions as resources permit Partnerships among business women agreed Data monitoring via UN organizations

Next Step: Project implementation in Trinidad and Tobago: Directory of women who have been successful in business Directory of business women who will want to grow their business Idea generation Outreach via social & other media Resource mobilization Teaming partners

Thank you Inyang Ebong-Harstrup Deputy Director United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation