The US Embassy in Kingston, in partnership with the Youth for Development Network (YFDN), on Wednesday, July 23, launched the 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Jamaica Programme.

It is an initiative designed to equip women with the knowledge, networks, and tools to build and scale sustainable businesses across the island.

Now entering its fourth cohort, AWE Jamaica continues to drive transformative impact. To date, the programme has empowered over 100 women from both urban and rural communities, equipping them with critical interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills, robust business plans, and seed funding. Impressively, more than 75 per cent of past participants have successfully scaled their businesses, generating jobs and contributing to local economic growth. This year, AWE Jamaica will support 30 dynamic women from Kingston and Hanover through a six-month blended learning experience.

This year’s launch brings together leaders from the US Embassy, the Jamaican business community, and international development partners, all united by a shared vision to drive inclusive economic growth through women’s entrepreneurship.

Addressing members of the fourth cohort at the official launch event, the US Embassy’s Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Ann-Marie Chiappetta said, “What you do with this opportunity matters. It matters to your future, your families, your parishes, your country, and to enhancing the partnership between Jamaica and the United States. Your innovation and ingenuity are exactly what our global ecosystem needs. Let your entrepreneurial spirit carry you as far as your imagination can go – even the global stage. The next stage of your journey begins today.”

Lucy Kingsley, international director, YFDN said, “The 2025 launch of AWE Jamaica marks more than a programme—it is a powerful signal of what’s possible when the US Embassy, local partners, and the private sector align to invest in women’s entrepreneurship. Together, we are equipping women with the tools, networks, and confidence to lead in the digital economy, build resilient businesses, and uplift their communities. This partnership affirms our shared commitment to sustainable growth and inclusive economic opportunity.”

The AWE initiative aligns with the US government’s wider Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) goals, supporting financial independence and entrepreneurship among women globally. The programme integrates the globally-acclaimed DreamBuilder course—developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management—with customised workshops, team building activities, psychosocial support, mentorship, and seed funding opportunities. AWE remains committed to uplifting underserved and first-time entrepreneurs, especially those from under-resourced or rural backgrounds, fostering inclusive economic development and long-term sustainability. Locally, YFDN continues to champion youth and women’s empowerment by building pathways to innovation, employment, and enterprise development.