Women’s Economic Development
Committed to the core belief that women are central to economic growth, the Women’s Economic Development Initiative partners with governments, nonprofits, and the private sector to create opportunities for women that lead to economic independence.
Since 2007, more than 724,000 women and their families have enrolled in training and education programs across Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Women’s Economic Development Initiative, directly benefiting over 2.8 million of their children. These investments have shown an increase in women deciding to educate their children, purchase health insurance, actively participate in local and national elections, and more.
Recent News
Partnership with Women for Women International
Since 2008, Bloomberg Philanthropies has worked with the nonprofit Women for Women International to train women in marketable skills so they can increase their incomes and support their families.
Partnership with Sustainable Growers
Since 2013, Bloomberg Philanthropies has invested in the innovative training of coffee farmers and producers, bringing smallholder farmers up through the coffee value chain. These long-term investments have led to a partnership with Sustainable Growers, home of Question Coffee Café & Roastery, a social enterprise, and the Coffee Training Academy.
Partnership with Nest
In 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies invested in the non-profit Nest to build the capacity of the organization to reach artisans and create market access for this unrecognized global workforce.
Partnership with CARE
In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies partnered with CARE to increase women farmers’ income and agricultural productivity through collective investments in Village Savings and Loan Associations.
Partnership with African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative
In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative partnered to support women entrepreneurs in Africa.
Investment in Equal Footing
Since 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported the development of Equal Footing, a data mapping platform tracking the funding landscape in Africa.
Partnership with Library For All
Since 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies has partnered with Library For All, now home of NABU, an online learning system that has expanded to 18 countries, to build and maintain a digital library to deliver quality educational materials to students in developing countries and expand their access to digital reading materials in local and international languages.
In Rwanda, Bloomberg Philanthropies partnered with Library For All and the Imbuto Foundation, founded by the First Lady of Rwanda, to increase the literacy of 20 million school-aged children.
Evaluations
See reports about the work of the Women’s Economic Development program and our partners.
Hands to Heritage Documentary
Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported basket weaving initiatives in South Carolina and Africa to increase economic opportunities for people who work with their hands.
Product Catalog
See a Product Catalog featuring partners of the Women’s Economic Development Initiative.
Top photo: Women enrolled in Bloomberg Philanthropies funded training programs.