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APEC Project Database

Project Title

Symposium on Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment through Financial Inclusion Initiatives

Project Year

2023

Project Number

PPWE 02 2023A

Project Session

Session 1

Project Type

Standard

Project Status

Project in Implementation

Project No.

PPWE 02 2023A

Project Title

*
Symposium on Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment through Financial Inclusion Initiatives

Project Status

Project in Implementation

Fund Account

*
APEC Support Fund

Sub-fund

ASF: Women and the Economy

Project Year

2023

Project Session

*
Session 1

APEC Funding

28,450

Co-funding Amount

5,600

Total Project Value

34,050

Sponsoring Forum

*
Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE)

Topics

Gender

Committee

SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)

Other Fora Involved

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

 

Proposing Economy(ies)

Peru

Co-Sponsoring Economies

Australia; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; Philippines; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; Viet Nam

Expected Start Date

01/11/2023

Expected Completion Date

31/12/2024

Project Proponent Name 1

Jessica Oliveira Bardales

Job Title 1

General Director of Promotion and Development for Women's Economic Autonomy

Organization 1

Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations

Telephone 1

(51) 6261600

Email 1

Project Proponent Name 2

Not Applicable

Job Title 2

Not Applicable

Organization 2

Not Applicable

Telephone 2

Not Applicable

Email 2

Not Applicable

Declaration

Jessica Oliveira Bardales

Project Summary

This project aims to address the challenges faced by women-led and -owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing financial services across APEC economies. Despite the significance of women entrepreneurs for economic growth, they encounter barriers such as women discrimination, limited access to tailored financial products, and insufficient information regarding mechanisms covering microcredit and retail loans. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these challenges. To tackle these issues, the project will conduct research focusing on successful experiences in APEC economies that have effectively addressed barriers to financial services access. The research findings will inform the development of a research paper. The Symposium will span two days and involve financial service providers, entrepreneurs, and businesswomen from the APEC region. Presentations, interactive sessions, and discussion will facilitate dialogue on topics such as expanding credit access and overcoming obstacles. The project will culminate in a comprehensive Summary Report documenting the best practices and lessons learned during the Symposium. Based on the outcomes, future activities and initiatives may be proposed to sustain the project's impact and address ongoing challenges.

Relevance

Issues: Although the inequality between men and women in terms of bank account ownership is narrow in some economies, the proportion of women with a bank account or other financial institution remains below 50% in certain APEC economies (APEC, 2020a). Moreover, less than half of the APEC economies have laws that prohibit credit access discrimination based on gender inequality (Crisologo & Kuriyama, 2021). Women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) often find themselves grappling with a range of obstacles when it comes to securing adequate financial support. This is primarily from the tendency of banks to prioritize larger businesses. Moreover, an evident disparity exists in the allocation of time between men and women, further exacerbating the challenges faced by them. This discrepancy in time allocation only serves to compound the existing obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs, making it even more arduous for them to overcome financial barriers. Adding to that situation, there is a notable lack of accessible legal services and training opportunities for women in business. However, access to assets is crucial for women's economic security, financial autonomy, and can provide them economic opportunities (APEC, 2020a). 

APEC recognizes that unleashing the full potential of women entrepreneurs is critical for the prosperity and growth of all member economies (APEC, 2020b). Nevertheless, the limited access to financial services for women-led and -owned MSMEs remains a significant challenge across APEC economies, hindering their growth potential. To address this issue, APEC economies have implemented good practices and policies, such as products targeting women and inclusive structural reforms aimed at empowering women economically. The data compilation of research and symposium discussions will provide an opportunity to tackle the current challenge of women's financial access in APEC. This challenge arises from women discrimination, insufficient information mechanisms covering microcredit and retail loans, and the absence of tailored financial products. Moreover, structural barriers limit women's decision-making power and access to information, among others. The situation is further exacerbated by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the closure of numerous MSMEs, with women-led MSMEs being particularly affected due to their smaller size and higher likelihood of informality (Jones-Renaud et. al, 2020). 

In light of these challenges, this project aims to address them by conducting a systematic study of successful experiences related to barriers in accessing financial services and identifying good practices in APEC economies. Based on the findings, a research paper will be developed to facilitate discussions during the symposium and aid in formulating recommendations. These recommendations are expected to contribute to increased access to credit for women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, along with access to credit with reduced risks or larger amounts.

Eligibility and Fund Priorities: This project fulfils the eligibility criteria of the Women and the Economy Sub-fund by focusing on the five pillars of the PPWE. These pillars include: a) Access to capital; b) Access to markets; c) Skills, capacity building, and health; d) Women's leadership and agency; and e) Innovation and technology. Moreover, the project aligns with the sub-fund's criteria for capacity building activities that benefit APEC developing economies. The project takes an evidence-based approach by identifying best practices in the region and utilizing data from reliable sources such as the Women and the Economy Dashboard. This ensures that the project's implementation is data-driven and well-informed. Lastly, by addressing the challenges women encounter in accessing financial services and products, the project supports the PPWE's priority of enhancing women's economic participation. In this sense, by promoting equal access to financial opportunities, the project strives to create a more inclusive and empowering environment for women in the economies. 

Capacity Building: This project has the objective of enhancing the capacity of APEC member economies by increasing their awareness of the barriers that hinder women's financial access in the region. It also aims to highlight best practices for addressing these barriers. By examining successful experiences and engaging diverse stakeholders, the project will identify opportunities to develop and implement financial products and services specifically tailored to meet women's needs. The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce economic disparities among APEC economies and improve the economic and social well-being of women in the region. 

This objective aligns with APEC's broader goals of fostering sustainable growth and equitable development, as well as reducing economic disparities. The project is driven by the pressing need within APEC member economies to improve women's access to credit and is intended to have tangible impacts on individuals and institutions. In terms of its approach, the project is designed to be cost-effective and results-based, with clear and measurable performance indicators. Evaluation mechanisms will be put in place to assess the project's impact and effectiveness. This ensures that the project remains focused on achieving its desired outcomes and delivering tangible benefits.

Objectives

The project aims to enhance the capacity of APEC economies to improve financial access for women owned and led MSMEs. This will be accomplished through the following key components:

1) Research: To identify best practices in the region. The findings from this research will inform the development of a discussion guide for the Symposium.

2) Virtual Symposium: That serves as a platform for sharing successful experiences and innovative approaches aimed at promoting women's financial access.

3) Summary Report: That captures the main discussion points and provides recommendations for promoting women's financial inclusion.

The project is expected to enhance collaboration among APEC economies on gender equality initiatives, with a specific focus on promoting women's access to capital and assets.

Alignment

Alignment to APEC: This project makes a significant contribution to the implementation of the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth 2019-2030. Specifically, it aligns with the Key Action Area on “Empowering women through access to capital and markets” by promoting and facilitating women's access to capital and assets. Furthermore, the project is in line with the “Strong, Balanced, Secure, Sustainable, and Inclusive Growth” economic driver of the Aotearoa Plan of Action (APA), which was endorsed by APEC Economic Leaders in 2021. According to the APA, APEC economies will build on APEC's Agenda on Advancing Economic, Financial, and Social Inclusion to enhance economic inclusion for all.

This includes advancing gender equality and the economic empowerment of women, with a particular emphasis on accelerating the full implementation of the La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth and building upon its achievements. Moreover, the project aligns with the 2021 APEC WEF Statement, which includes an action to support women's entrepreneurship and women-led MSMEs. This support involves addressing discriminatory legal and regulatory barriers to enable better access to employment, business ownership, markets, and credit. More recently, in 2022, APEC Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to creating an environment where all, including MSMEs and women, are empowered to access economic opportunities. 

Alignment to Forum: This project aligns with the PPWE’s five key pillars impacting women’s economic empowerment. These pillars are access to capital, access to markets, skills and capacity building, women's leadership and agency, and innovation and technology. Additionally, the project contributes to Objective 2 of the PPWE Strategic Plan 2019-2021, which aims to advance women's economic participation through these five priority pillars. By addressing the barriers associated with these pillars, the project aims to enhance the capacity of APEC economies to support women-own and -led businesses. Furthermore, through promoting inclusiveness in the project's implementation, it ensures that women of diverse backgrounds have equal access to the project's benefits.

Beneficiaries and Outputs

Outputs: 

Outputs

Descriptions

Research Paper

This research paper, scheduled to be conducted from February to May 2024, focuses on tackling the issue of discrimination faced by women-led and -owned MSMEs when it comes to accessing financing. Such discrimination commonly manifests as restricted credit access, heightened risks, and smaller loan amounts for MSMEs owned by women. In order to thoroughly examine this issue, the methodology of the research paper consists in qualitative study. For that, it will employ a comprehensive approach, incorporating secondary sources such as specialized literature and APEC publications. On the other hand, it is necessary to compile and systematize primary sources: official documents or statements from international organizations and economies, and two types of questionnaires, that contains closed-ended questions. One questionnaire will be conducted to women owner of micro, small and medium-sized enterprise from APEC economies. The other questionnaire will be conducted to government officials of the same four APEC economies. In addition, one focus group will be developed to representatives of the financial sector  in order to interview and share experiences about successful practices in APEC economies that have effectively addressed barriers to financial services access.

One crucial aspect to be explored in this study is the time allocation of women entrepreneurs, particularly the significant amount of time they dedicate to unpaid domestic care work. This allocation of time often hinders their financial inclusion in the credit system. By examining the role played by time allocation in other activities than their enterprises, it can be gained insights into the obstacles they encounter in obtaining adequate financial support.

It is estimated the research paper will content a minimum of 25 pages, excluding annexes. About its rough structure, the study will have 6 sections: (1) table of contents; (2) executive summary; (3) methodology (4)research findings and analysis; (5) conclusion and recommendations; and (6)  Symposium proposal.

The research findings will be utilized to develop a comprehensive research paper for the symposium. By this, the research paper will serve as an invaluable tool to steer discussions towards identifying the most effective approaches for addressing systemic barriers and proposing specific measures based on successful experiences within APEC economies. The main conclusions and recommendations will be included in the summary report (third product) and socialized with all the APEC economies in the symposium. The ultimate objective is to enhance access to financial services and implement best practices within financial systems to overcome these barriers.

Symposium

The Symposium is proposed to be held in August 2024 and will be held in virtual format over the course of two days.  The duration of the Symposium is estimated will be rough 4 hours each day.

The first day will feature a meeting between government officials from the APEC economies, financial service providers and entrepreneurs and businesswomen from the APEC economies. During this meeting, the financial institutions will present their available financial products and explain how entrepreneurs and businesswomen can access them. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share any difficulties they have encountered in accessing financial products. The presentations by the financial entities will be organized into shortlists, with four speakers each, followed by a question and comment session. There will be an intermission after this financial products for entrepreneurs and businesswomen, and the innovative measures that could be adopted in the medium or long term.

On the second day, two  breakout sessions will be held. To do this, two breakout online rooms will be created in order to facilitate the two discussions. The first  breakout room will address critical issues and successful experiences related to financial service providers' efforts to increase the participation of entrepreneurs in the financial system and improve their access conditions. For instance, discussions may cover expanding the average credit amount accessible to women. The second  breakout room  will focus on critical obstacles and successful experiences from the demand side of the financial sector. Topics may include financial education programs aimed at overcoming credit risk aversion.

To facilitate discussion at the second breakout room, participants will be encouraged to share their insights on the main access limitations faced by entrepreneurs when trying to access financial products and services. They will also have the opportunity to discuss any specific measures that have been implemented to address these limitations and explore potential innovative approaches that could be adopted in the medium or long term to enhance financial access for entrepreneurs.

At the end of the Symposium, it will be a final session for all the participants. In this session, participants will share some recommendations and opinion about the new skills or knowledge they gained from the Symposium and how they plan to apply all of that in their economies. Final session shall also recap the key learnings and information. Immediately after this session, the ex-post evaluation will be held to maximise receipt of responses.

Summary Report

The Summary Report of the Symposium will provide an in-depth analysis of the various topics discussed, experiences shared, best practices highlighted, and valuable lessons learned throughout the event. With a primary focus on enhancing financial access for women-owned and led MSMEs, the report will give particular attention to the time limitations that women often confront.

By examining the constraints imposed by time, including the substantial allocation of their time to unpaid domestic care work, the report will delve into the profound impact these limitations can have on women's ability to actively engage in business activities and strive for financial inclusion. Recognizing the critical role time management plays, the report will provide comprehensive insights into the implications of time allocation and its direct effects on their access to financial services.

Furthermore, the Summary Report will encompass the development of a methodology or document specifically tailored for conducting a detailed diagnosis concerning the efficient use of time. This will aim to evaluate the far-reaching consequences of time limitations, specifically on women entrepreneurs, and their inherent ability to access financial services.

This report, which will be minimum of  30 pages excluding annexes, is intended for publication as an APEC document, aiming to raise awareness and promote collaborative efforts among member economies to address these challenges. The summary report will have 4 sections: (1) table of contents; (2) executive summary; (3) topics discussed; (3.1) Identification of gaps faced by women-led MSMEs in the access and use of financial products and services in APEC economies; (3.2) Supply of financial products and services focused on women in the financial sector of APEC economies; (3.3) Demand of MSMEs led by women for financial products and services in APEC economies; (3.4) Good practices from the public sector for the promotion of access and use of financial products and services in APEC economies; and (4) recommendations and lessons learned.

Outcomes: Based on this, the specific impacts of that project are:

1)  Increased participants’ understanding on current regional context of the financial inclusion for women owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as specific challenges faced by these women, and the experiences and recommendations shared by stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

2) Enhanced participants capacity and knowledge on improving financial access and inclusion initiatives for women owned and led MSMEs;

3) Developed practice or applied recommendation by the economies (public or private sector) obtained of the Symposium and the Summary Report.

These outcomes will be measured through a tailored ex-post evaluation,

Beneficiaries: 

Direct:

The project will primarily target the following participants:

1) Government officials responsible for designing and implementing policies that promote financial inclusion for women owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). These officials will benefit from the knowledge and experience shared during the symposium, enabling them to enhance their policy frameworks.

2) Financial sector professionals involved in the design and implementation of credit products, specifically targeting MSME owners. They will gain valuable insights from the symposium, helping them improve their understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by women MSME owners.

3) Women owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises themselves, who will directly benefit from the project's efforts to address the barriers to accessing credit products. The symposium will provide them with valuable knowledge, experiences, and recommendations to support their financial inclusion.

Indirect:

Additionally, there will be indirect beneficiaries such as academic experts specializing in women’s financial inclusion will be able to utilize the research findings to conduct comparative analyses of good practices across APEC economies. This will facilitate the development of future studies in this field, contributing to ongoing research and knowledge generation.

Dissemination

Soft copies of the symposium documents will be distributed to all participants, ensuring eco-friendly wide dissemination of the materials. Additionally, cloud shared-drive will play a key role in sharing the symposium documents. The APEC official website will serve as the primary platform for uploading the Summary Report. To further enhance the reach of the information, other ministries’ websites, may be utilized to disseminate the information, with hyperlinks directing users to the APEC website for access to the full content.

It is important to note that there are no plans to sell any outputs resulting from this project. All reports and communication materials will adhere to the APEC Publications, Intellectual Property, and Logo Guidelines, ensuring compliance with the official’s standards. In terms of privacy, personal data of project participants, including their names, sex, economies, social media handles, and employers, will not be included in any APEC publications or project reports related to this project.

Gender

This proposal is committed to ensuring gender equality throughout the project. Women have been actively involved in the development of the initiative, and both men and women will have equal opportunities to participate in all stages of the project, including the preparatory stage, consultations, and direct labour activities.  

To promote female participation and ensure the project’s effectiveness, the organizers will actively encourage and create favorable conditions for women to be speakers or participants in the symposium. Information and invitations will be widely disseminated to women, leveraging the PPWE to reach out to women owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the APEC member economies.

In an effort to prioritize female representation, female leaders will be given preference as speakers for the symposium. The project aims to achieve a range of female participation, targeting from at least 50% overall female participation, and approximately 50% female speakers.

Furthermore, the project aims to promote women’s economic empowerment, focusing on leadership, voice, and agency. It recognizes the value of women as contributors, professionals, and leaders in both the private and public sectors, as highlighted in the Guidebook on APEC Projects (Appendix G).

Targets

Female Participants (%)

50%

Female Speakers/Experts (%)

50%

Referring to the Guide on Gender Criteria for APEC Project Proposals in the Guidebook on APEC Projects, please tick the pillar or pillars that this project supports, in promoting women’s economic empowerment:

5 Pillars (you may tick more than one)

1

Access to Capital

 and Assets

X

2

Access to Markets

X

3

Skills, Capacity Building, and Health

X

4

Leadership, Voice and Agency

X

5

Innovation and Technology

X

The project will directly contribute to identify good practices that have a positive impact on access to financial products and services for women who manage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in APEC economies. It will also formulate recommendations to improve public policies in this area within APEC economies.  These recommendations are intended to generate an indirect impact on the generation of higher levels of access to financial products, such as credit, which will allow MSMEs led by women to have higher levels of capital and resources.  This process will allow the growth and consolidation of these MSMEs and a greater impetus for the development of innovation and technological development of the business to meet the demand generated. Finally, the improvement of the economic conditions of the business will contribute to strengthen the skills and leadership of women entrepreneurs in the business sector and in the generation of greater economic income thanks to which they will be able to have higher levels of decision making and agency over their life project, as well as ensure their health and well-being.

PO is committed to collecting sex disaggregated data for all speakers and participants (not only those funded by APEC) at the project event. This data will be included when submitting a Completion Report to the Secretariat upon completion of the project, as well as providing guidance to future Pos on their own gender parity targets.

Gender-related issues will be addressed in all three outcomes based on the collection sex disaggregated data from the ex-post evaluation results. Also, the three outcomes are related to women financial inclusion and participation.

Work Plan



Timeline

Tasks

Deliverables

Nov 2023 – Jan 2024

Draft the TOR

TOR

1.     Procure the services of contractor(s).

2.     Contract

Feb – Apr 2024

Conduct research and prepare a Research Paper for the Symposium.

Research paper

1 Apr 2024

Submit the APEC Monitoring Report to the APEC Secretariat

APEC Project Monitoring Report

May – June 2024

Develop agenda and General Information

General Information Circular

3.     Agenda

4.     Coordinate logistics and send invitations to speakers and participants.

Invitations

List of the speakers and participants

Aug 2024

Organize a two-day Symposium

A 2-day symposium

Oct 2024

Prepare the symposium Summary Report and submit it to the APEC Secretariat for review and PPWE endorsement

Endorsed Symposium Summary Report

Feb 2025

Submit the APEC Project Completion Report and supporting documents to the APEC Secretariat

APEC Project Completion Report

After 6 to 12 months of project completion

Participate in the Long-Term Evaluation of APEC Projects (LTEAP) conducted by APEC Secretariat

2025 – 2026

Conduct post-project survey (by PO). PO to learn i) number of best practices that the economies will make; and/or ii) good practices that are included in their discussion, after the Symposium and the Summary Report

Post-project survey

Risks

No.

Risks

How will it be managed?

1

Research delay

Clear timelines will be established to ensure timely completion of the research. Regular progress monitoring and effective communication channels with contractor(s) will be established to identify and address any potential delays promptly.

2

Limited participation in the symposium

A comprehensive outreach strategy will be implemented to ensure wide dissemination of information about the symposium. Efforts will be made to engage stakeholders (see 6. Beneficiaries) to encourage their participation. Special attention and efforts will be made with co-sponsor economies.

3

Technical issues during the symposium

Technical rehearsals and tests will be conducted prior to the symposium to identify and resolve any potential issues. A dedicated technical support team will be available during the event to provide immediate assistance and ensure a smooth virtual experience for all participants.

With speakers: The equipment/software and the connection will be verified one day and then one hour before the virtual discussion sessions start to ensure their proper functioning. This will allow any technical issues to be identified and resolved in advance. Additionally, speakers will be requested to send their presentations before the symposium begin, enabling the organizer to show them from another computer if needed.

With attendees: The equipment/software and the connection of the attendees will be verified thirty minutes before the symposium start. This will provide sufficient time to address any technical difficulties they may encounter and ensure a smooth participation experience for all attendees.

4

Inadequate stakeholder engagement

A proactive approach will be taken to engage relevant stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Regular consultations will be organized to ensure their involvement and address their concerns effectively.

5

Incomplete or inaccurate reporting:

A robust monitoring and reporting mechanism will be put in place. Regular progress updates will be documented and quality control measures, such as reviews from different economies who attended to the symposium and co-sponsors will be implemented to ensure the reliability of the project summary report.

6

Speaker Cancellations

In the event of unexpected speaker cancellations, the project team has established a proactive approach to manage the situation. Speakers will be reconfirmed two days before each discussion session, and they will be in constant communication with the organizer. This ensures that any last-minute changes or issues can be promptly addressed.

To minimize the impact of speaker cancellations, a confirmation deadline of at least seven days prior to the event will be established. Speakers who are unable to attend the symposium are required to provide confirmation within this timeframe. In the case of a last-minute cancellation, the project team will immediately be notified, and alternative speakers will be recommended as a contingency plan.

7

Quality of the Symposium Summary Report

A qualified and experienced consultant will be assigned to develop the report, having approximately one month to draft it. The draft will then be circulated among speakers and participants for their valuable comments and revisions, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Additionally, the PO will review the report to ensure it aligns with project objectives and meets the required standards. Feedback and suggestions will be incorporated to enhance the report's quality. Finally, the report will undergo an endorsement process by relevant sub-fora.


Monitoring and Evaluation

Evaluation Focus

Indicators

Target Goals

Evaluation Method

Reporting Method

Outputs

1. Research paper

1.  No. of pages

25

Certification by PO

Completion Report

2.  No. of APEC economies included

11

Research paper

Completion Report

3.  No. of best practices identify per economy included

1

Research paper

Completion Report

4.  Submission to the Secretariat

30 Apr 2024

Submission to the Secretariat

Email to the Secretariat

2. Symposium

1.  No. of participants (excl. speakers/ experts)

50

Event Attendance List

Completion Report

2.  % of participating men/women (excl. speakers/experts)

50/50

Event Attendance List

Completion Report

3.  No. of speakers/
experts engaged

8

Event Attendance List

Completion Report

4.  % of speakers/
experts (men/women)

50/50

Event Attendance List

Completion Report

5.  No. of attending economies

11

Event Attendance List

Completion Report

3. Summary Report

6.  No. of pages

30

Certification by PO

Email to the Secretariat

7.  Submission to the Secretariat

31 Oct 2024

Submission to the Secretariat

Email to the Secretariat

Outcomes

Increased participants’ understanding on current regional context of the financial inclusion for women owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as specific challenges faced by these women, and the experiences and recommendations shared by stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

% of participants who better understand the situation of women’s access

70%

Survey included in the ex-post evaluation

Completion Report

Enhanced participants capacity and knowledge on improving financial access and inclusion initiatives for women owned and led MSMEs

% of participants who acquire new knowledge on financial access and inclusion initiatives for women owned and led MSMEs

70%

Included in the ex-post evaluation

Completion Report

Developed practice or applied recommendation by the economies (public or private sector) obtained of the Symposium and the Summary Report.

No. of best practices made or economies that include discussion about good practices

2025 to 2026

Post-project survey and follow-up emails

Report to the Secretariat

Others


Linkages

Ensuring the success of this project relies heavily on engaging various APEC and non-APEC stakeholders. To achieve this, active promotion of cross-fora collaboration will be pursued, with the aim of involving groups that are currently engaged in financial inclusion initiatives, including ABAC, SMEWG, EC, CTI, DESG, and FMP. Additionally, efforts will be made to encourage the participation of international organizations such as The World Bank, the OECD, and others. Their involvement will contribute to a more comprehensive and impactful approach towards improving financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs in the APEC region.

Although there is some research about financial inclusion, this project differs from other initiatives of APEC working groups because it addresses the specific situation of women in a direct and differentiated manner. The project will delve deeper into the access barriers of women in order to identify better initiatives to promote their financial inclusion. In addition, primary sources such as questionnaires and focus groups contribute to carrying out qualitative research with different results than descriptive research that only includes analysis of secondary sources.

Sustainability

Following the symposium, participants are expected to acquire a deeper understanding and practical insights on how to effectively address the challenges hindering women owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises from accessing credit products.

To ensure the symposium's success in achieving its objectives, the organizer will report to and seek approval from DESG for the specific recommendations and the symposium summary report as a whole. Additionally, taking into account the recommendations provided by member economies, the organizer will consider proposing new activities or initiatives to further advance the outcomes of the project.

Furthermore, the organizer intends to propose a phase 2 of the project based on the recommendations received from the participants. Networking will be utilized to review the implementation of these recommendations, and a post-project survey will be conducted to learn i) number of best practices that the economies will make; and/or ii) good practices that are included in their discussion, after the project implementation, allowing for continuous evaluation and improvement.

Direct Labour

No.

Specific Tasks – Research Consultant

No. of Hours

1

Conduct desk research to gain better understanding and knowledge about the issues to enrich the summary report of the project

50

2

Design of methodology

20

3

Collect, analyzing and synthesizing primary information during the project

120

4

Develop the research paper: (1) table of contents; (2) executive summary; (3) methodology (4)research findings and analysis; (5) conclusion and recommendations; and ()6  Symposium proposal.

80

5

Create a list of suitable potential speakers

10

6

Develop ex-post evaluation instrument

30

7

Collaborate closely with the PO to plan and execute the symposium, and take detailed notes throughout its implementation.

15

8

Draft the summary report

115

9

Develop and apply two questionnaires 

50

10

Develop one focus group

10

Total:

500

No.

Specific Tasks – Short-Term Clerical (Administrative Support)

No. of Hours

1

Elaborate TOR with technical and administrative specifications

30

2

Identify and contracting venues and vendors with adequate equipment and internet bandwidth; and finalize selection process and agreement by giving support to the PO

25

3

Support the contact with Speakers and moderator for their availability

15

4

Create the Invitation for Government Officials and confirming their attendance

10

5

Conduct a dry run one day prior the event

10

6

Ensure and supervising all aspects of virtual event during the virtual sessions

10

Total:

100

No.

Specific Tasks – Graphic Designer

No. of Hours

1

Design flyers to be posted in the government’s social media accounts

80

2

Diagram the Summary Report

120

3

Creating online background for the virtual Symposium

50

Total:

250


Are there any supporting document attached?

No
Project No.
Project Title
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Co-funding Amount
Total Project Value
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Topics
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Other Fora Involved
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Project Proponent Name 1
Job Title 1
Organization 1
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Project Proponent Name 2
Job Title 2
Organization 2
Telephone 2
Email 2
Declaration
Project Summary
Relevance
Objectives
Alignment
Beneficiaries and Outputs
Dissemination
Gender
Work Plan
Risks
Monitoring and Evaluation
Linkages
Sustainability
Direct Labour
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Content Type: Standard Proposal