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FAQ
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What kinds of initiatives is The Power of Local Challenge looking for?
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The Power of Local Challenge is an initiative seeking organizations, programs, or initiatives that support small businesses by providing resources, tools, networking, and more. This opportunity aims to identify and support small business ecosystem builders who offer diverse and equitable opportunities to local enterprises.
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Who is eligible to apply?
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Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a primary impact in one of the following countries: Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zimbabwe.
Both for-profit and non-profit organizations are welcome to apply. There are no specific requirements regarding the size or annual revenue of the applicant organizations. We will only accept 1 application per initiative.
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Can organizations registered outside the eligible countries apply?
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Yes, organizations registered outside the eligible countries can apply, provided their primary impact is within one of the eligible countries. The focus should be on localized impact within the specified eligible countries.
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What are the key dates of this challenge?
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January 8, 2025: Challenge Launch
January 29, 2025: Early Entry Deadline
February 26, 2025: Final Entry Deadline
May 16, 2025: Finalist Announcement
June 30, 2025: Winners Announcement
For more information, visit our challenge webpage
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What is your definition of small business?
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In this challenge, we are looking for those supporting small businesses. In the context of this challenge, we define a small business (or Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)) as a business that is deeply connected to its community, has fewer than 25 employees, is independently owned, and is not a dominant business in its field.
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Are collaborations between multiple organizations allowed?
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Yes, proposed solutions can involve consortiums of two or more local organizations working together to support small businesses – as long as you submit only 1 application for this collaborative initiative, you are eligible.
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Can two organizations submit a joint application, especially if the ecosystem-building process is jointly done?
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Yes! We welcome coalitions and alliances of organizations to submit a joint application. The key requirement is that a single initiative should not have more than one application.
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What support is available during the application process?
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The Power of Local Challenge team offers support sessions during the application process to assist with any questions or guidance you may need. These sessions are designed to help you succeed. You can book your spot for info sessions and office hours through the Resources section of the challenge website.
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Is it still considered “local” if we work in multiple communities?
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If you work in multiple communities, we want to understand how your solution or approach is rooted in each community you are impacting – how they are engaged and involved in your initiative.
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Will you provide guidance on what a strong application looks like?
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Yes, you can find here the evaluation rubric, alongside the key criteria for a strong application and an Info Session recording to guide you on how to apply. Most importantly, a strong application is one that is aligned with the scope of this challenge: an ecosystem builder for small businesses, enabling and supporting small businesses in an underserved community.
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What are the evaluation criteria?
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All applications are evaluated against the same 5 evaluation criteria:
- Connection & Commitment
- Operational Viability
- Innovation
- Impact
You can use the following rubric as guidance when working on your application:
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What are the prize and benefits of this challenge?
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A total of 11 winners will be awarded cash prizes – 10 winners will be awarded $15,000 and 1 winner will be awarded $60,000. Additionally, all eligible applicants will receive feedback from Ashoka and reviewers on their applications. They will also get opportunities to connect with a community of changemakers. Semifinalists and finalists will have further opportunities for refinement, connection, and learning.
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How can I apply to this challenge?
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To apply, visit The Power of Local Challenge page on the Changemakers website and click on the "Apply Now" button. Ensure you complete and submit your application by the final deadline on February 26, 2025.
For more detailed information, please refer to The Power of Local Challenge website.