Up to $450,000 to support fostering ties between young female entrepreneurs in Australia, ASEAN Member States, and Timor-Leste, focusing on leadership, skills development, and collaboration.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program?
The ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program is an initiative aimed at fostering stronger ties between young female entrepreneurs across Australia, ASEAN Member States, and Timor-Leste. The program focuses on leadership development, business skills building, and collaboration. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in both online and in-person activities, including a one-week visit to Australia for networking and workshops. This four-year program is designed to support at least one cohort of 27 participants per year, contributing to broader economic and cultural connections in the region.
ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program level of support
- Minimum funding: Not indicated
- Maximum funding: $450,000 per year
Co-contribution: Applicants are encouraged to seek co-contributions from other sources to strengthen their application. There are no specific requirements for the amount of co-contribution, and these may include monetary or in-kind contributions such as program management staff hours, administrative support, venues, or logistics management.
ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program objectives
The ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program aims to strengthen connections between Australia and ASEAN Member States, as well as Timor-Leste. The key objectives of the program are:
- To bring together young (aged between 18 and 40 years) female social entrepreneurs from Australia, ASEAN Member States, and Timor-Leste for online and in-person leadership development, business skills building, and collaboration.
- To deepen learning and provide networking opportunities for young female social entrepreneurs working in sectors like decarbonisation, green energy transition, the blue economy, and other priority areas identified under Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Projects, activities, and expenditure eligible for ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program support
Eligible activities for this program must align with the objectives and intended outcomes, including but not limited to:
- Industry dialogues (virtual or in-person)
- Trade delegations
- Virtual or real tours and exhibitions
- Major events, performances, and forums
- Conferences and workshops
- Internships, exchanges, and secondments between Australia, ASEAN Member States, and/or Timor-Leste
- Communications activities, market research, and community engagement
- Investment policy discussions
Ineligible Expenditures
Grant funds cannot be used for the following activities:
- Purchase of land
- Ongoing salaries/wages
- Major capital expenditure
- Retrospective costs incurred prior to grant approval
- Administrative charges, major construction/capital works
- Activities under the responsibility of other government bodies
Other ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program support
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must:
- Be an entity registered in Australia, an ASEAN Member State, or Timor-Leste
- Be a female-founded organisation (at least 51% owned and led by women)
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and an account with an Australian financial institution
- Be one of the following: a company, an incorporated trustee, a partnership, a joint consortia with a lead organisation, a not-for-profit organisation, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander corporation
ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program assessment criteria
Applicants are assessed against the following criteria, each carrying a weight of 20%:
- Meeting Program Objectives: Demonstrate how the project will bring together young female social entrepreneurs for leadership and skills development.
- Addressing Intended Outcomes: Show how the project will achieve program outcomes, including international market expansion, cross-cultural connections, and increased women’s economic participation.
- Effectiveness in Delivery: Highlight your team’s track record, governance and risk management frameworks, and proposed partners in Australia or ASEAN.
- Enduring Outcomes: Outline scenario planning beyond the grant period to ensure sustainable business and people-to-people linkages.
- Maximising Reach and Impact: Demonstrate partnerships, financial resilience, communication strategies, and media reach.
How do I get the ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
This program prioritises female-founded entities (majority owned and led by women) and applications with Southeast Asian partners are strongly encouraged. Indigenous Australian-led organisations and applicants with diverse abilities are also encouraged to apply.
Information to prepare for the ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program application
Before applying, applicants should prepare the following:
- A letter of support from referees (not Centre staff or Centre Advisory Board members)
- A project budget detailing anticipated costs and co-contributions
- Child protection guidelines, if applicable, for projects involving individuals under the age of 18
See the guidelines for more details of information requirements.
Applying for the ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program
Applicants must complete the online application through the SmartyGrants platform.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
ASEAN-Australia Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Exchange Program resources
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