WIDU.africa is thrilled to announce that African diaspora members residing in any European Union state members can participate to the program and support a relative or a friend in their entrepreneurial endeavor back home!
Towards Broader Horizons and a Sustainable Future
WIDU.africa is committed to a path of continuous development, with the goal of expanding opportunities for collaboration between diaspora members and local entrepreneurs. In this spirit, we are broadening our horizons to bridge the gap between diaspora and their home country.
As of now, diaspora members residing in any European Union country who meet the participation criteria are eligible to collaborate with relatives or friends in their home country to turn their business idea into reality.
Enhancing Local Impact with New European Union Nations Partners
Expanding our reach represents an opportunity to strengthen diaspora engagement to include a wider scale of African diaspora communities located in previously ineligible countries. By opening up WIDU across the entirety of the European Union (including Switzerland and Norway), we are actively inviting a wider range of donors to engage in small scale action for greater impact. Simultaneously, this approach facilitates stronger connections between diaspora members and locally rooted enterprises.
Additionally, local entrepreneurs have access to a wider network of potential diaspora members with whom they can jointly participate in the WIDU.africa program.
Here is the new list of eligible countries from which a diaspora donor can participate: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
George Taita, Kenyan Diaspora Member« Diaspora remittances have been playing a great role in Africa. The advice I would give to the other diasporians like me, if you know someone has a breakthrough somewhere, never give up. Keep supporting. » - George Taita, Kenyan diaspora donor
WIDU.africa : Fueling Real Change Through a Digital Platform
WIDU.africa is implemented in 6 African countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Togo and Tunisia. Across these 6 participating nations, WIDU has supported more than 7,440 projects, leading to the creation and retention of 16,220 jobs, 52% of which are held by women. In total, WIDU has disbursed 12.12 million Euros in the form of grants to support various micro- and small businesses in their entrepreneurial ambitions.
Little by little, the collaboration between the diaspora and local entrepreneurs is generating new jobs, increasing incomes, fostering innovation and empowering entrepreneurship.
These positive changes are the root of WIDU.africa’s mission.
«My participation with WIDU has been really helpful to us. I supported my mom through her kitchen garden, which has been providing vegetables for the school.» - George Taita, Kenyan diaspora donor
If you’re a member of the African diaspora in one the 29 European countries eligible to WIDU.africa and would like to get more information about the program and its process application, please contact us by e-mail on diaspora@widu.africa.