The APEC Women’s Business Activator Program is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is intended to support women-led businesses to build business competencies and navigate barriers in both local and global markets.
The program will include a series of online workshops, networking opportunities, mentoring, and an intensive face-to-face three-day session in Melbourne, Australia.
The APEC economies that are the focus of the program are China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, PNG, The Philippines, Mexico and Peru. Women citizens or permanent residents of these overseas development assistance (ODA) eligible APEC economies may be eligible for airfares and accommodation for the Melbourne component. Participants from non-ODA eligible economies may apply, travel costs to Melbourne would be self-funded.
The target group is women decision-makers in small to medium enterprises (one applicant per enterprise), with professional proficiency in English and available for online sessions from November 2023 to June 2024 and travel to Melbourne for the face-to-face sessions from 5-9 March 2024.
Full Eligibility:
- Women citizens or permanent residents of an overseas development assistance (ODA) eligible APEC economy (Note: Participants from non-ODA eligible economies are welcome to participate on the online sessions and self-fund their travel costs for the face-to-face sessions.)
- Founder or key decision maker in a small to medium enterprise (1 applicant per enterprise)
- Professional proficiency in the English language.
- Have a reliable internet connection to commit attendance for all online sessions from November 2023 – June 2024
- Available to travel to Melbourne, Australia to join the face-to-face sessions from 5-9 March 2024**
Be quick. Applications close Monday, 16 October, 2023.
For more information on the program and to apply, see here.











