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Founder's ProjectsWomen's Economic DevelopmentPartnership with Women for Women International

Partnership with Women for Women International

In 2008, Bloomberg Philanthropies partnered with Women for Women International in Rwanda to create economic opportunities for women and their families through skills-building and vocational training. In 2009, we expanded our investment into the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Sudan. Since 2008, over 235,000 women have enrolled in Bloomberg-funded programs and received training on financial literacy, health and wellness, and rights awareness. Each participant receives an individualized program plan that leads to a vocational track such as artisan crafts, agriculture, or construction.

Rwanda | Democratic Republic of Congo | Nigeria

An Evaluation of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Women’s Economic Development Initiative

An independent third-party evaluation by Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) shows the efficacy and replicability of the Women’s Economic Development Initiative by helping women develop marketable skills in high-demand industries.

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Social Investment Report

A Look at Women for Women International

Report cover that shows a photo of a woman holding a baby. The text reads "Social Investment Report"

This report shows the Women for Women International model demonstrated positive impacts for both program graduates and their communities in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Recent News

CNN: The Women's Opportunity Center in Rwanda supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies Was Featured on CNN for Women's Contributions to Society

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MODA: The Women’s Opportunity Center is featured in the “Design for Good: Architecture for Everyone” exhibit at the Museum of Design Atlanta

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CNN: The Women’s Opportunity Center in Rwanda supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies Featured on CNN for Women’s Contributions to Society

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Women for Women International: To Grow A Peaceful Future in Rwanda, Invest in Women

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Women for Women International: Thinking Ahead: Women for Women Rwanda in 2021

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Podcast

Marking the 10th anniversary of partnership with Women for Women International

Women’s Opportunity Center – Built By and For Women

To fulfill the core mission of job creation and income generation, women received training in construction and a method of brick-making called “sand-molding.” A cooperative of 250 women learned the technique and created the 520,000 bricks that were used to construct the center. 

Video

Watch how the Women’s Opportunity Center was designed from afar and then built by and for women in Rwanda

The women in the construction and brick-making business training program have secured multiple contracts, including building a local hospital and school. Since our investment in 2013, the brick cooperative has permanently employed 200 women.

The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.
Aerial view of women's opportunity center
The Women’s Opportunity Center was made by women. Housing 12 vocational training programs in its 7 classrooms, the Women’s Opportunity Center was built with over 500,000 handmade bricks made by women in Bloomberg Philanthropies brick-making training program in Rwanda and floor tiles made by women in our textiles training program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opening its doors in Rwanda in 2013, the Women’s Opportunity Center also houses a bed & breakfast and café.

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Top photo: Women enrolled in our brickmaking and construction supply training program participated in the building and development of the Women’s Opportunity Center.

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