The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) today announced that three organizations in Africa have been selected to receive funds under the Accelerating Women Climate Entrepreneurs (AWCE) Fund.

The AWCE Fund, an activity under the Accelerating Women Climate Entrepreneurs project, aims to contribute to poverty reduction and respond to climate change by identifying and promoting good practices to support women entrepreneurs in climate-related value chains. The AWCE project also places an emphasis on developing a road map for international development stakeholders to provide further gender-responsive support to women climate entrepreneurs and intermediaries.

The fund will allow three organizations to test models to increase investment into women-led small and growing businesses in western, southern, and eastern Africa.

Starting a business anywhere is difficult, but an emerging market faces unique and particularly challenging hurdles. Uganda is the most entrepreneurial country in the world, but common difficulties such as funding and finding talent keep businesses from becoming sustainable. Listen to this podcast to learn more about ANDE's Uganda Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Initiative.

Youth unemployment remains a major challenge in East Africa, while startups often have trouble filling all their open positions that will help them scale up their business. Mary Mwangi and Kate McElligott share how ANDE members are helping solve these challenges.

The first Rwandan Impact Hub opened in Kigali August 3rd. At a launch event, ANDE Executive Director Randall Kempner gave the keynote address, during which he discussed the importance of collaboration in driving social change.