The USAID Maldives Enterprise Development Program (EDP) is a unique program designed to help selected early stage micro-, small and medium enterprises with innovative eco-friendly market solutions transform into viable growth-oriented businesses. The project is funded by USAID under their five-year Climate Adaptation Project.
The purpose of the project is to support and rapidly develop MSMEs that can provide goods or services to de-risk agriculture, tourism, and fisheries related livelihoods in the face of observed and anticipated climate change impacts. Climate change impacts are likely to cause severe disruptions to the Maldivian economy unless we take steps to make it more climate resilient.
“FJS is excited to have this this opportunity, made possible by USAID, to work with MSMEs across the country to help them grow and strengthen their businesses.”
Hamid Sodique, MD, FJS Consulting
The project recognises the key role of MSMEs in the Maldivian economy and is designed to help a number of them become early entrants to climate change adaptation in their respective industries. Following the launch of EDP Maldives held on Dec 1st 2022 in Male, the application process is now open.
To be eligible for the program, MSMEs must have a business idea that is relevant to climate change. The business idea may be a product, service, or practice or any innovation.
Comprising of three phases, EDP Maldives will first reach out to SMEs across the country through an awareness and outreach campaign highlighting the urgency of the need for climate change adaptation and the opportunities for business innovation in this area. The awareness and outreach campaign will take place in islands in the North, Central and South regions of the country. Check out our calendar of events to see details of scheduled events and sign up for an awareness program near you!
In the second phase of the project, an onboarding process will enable strong applicants to strengthen their business and their eco-friendly concept into a state of readiness for the final phase of the program. In the third phase, participants will undertake a residential boot-camp style intensive executive training program, after which the participants will have access to mentors, representatives and experts via face to face and online sessions. Graduates from the program will have developed possess strong business development skills and competencies and a viable growth- oriented business plan they can utilize for scaling up their innovative climate relevant business concept.
Women and young entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
