Female Working Group on Socio-Economic Transformation : Application guidelines

Deadline for receipt of applications : Sunday, 31st of January 2021 , 6pm

Registration form

1. Introduction

For the last years, FES Rwanda and the Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN) have been working together on various projects related to the socio-economic policy and sustainable development.

The overall objective of the partnership is

  • to empower Rwandan citizens with knowledge and skills associated with good governance, social protection, and economic development
  • to connect the target group with local and international experts
  • and to raise their awareness about those subjects.

This was achieved through trainings and workshops, open space dialogues to facilitate exchange ideas and views about economic related policies among people from different backgrounds such as politicians, economic experts, researchers, journalists, think tanks, etc. Under this collaboration, FES Rwanda and EPRN continue to work together on a special project of empowering Rwandan women intheir rolein the socio-economic transformation.

2. Organizers : EPRN & FES Rwanda

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a non-profit Germany political foundation, created in 1925. The main objectives of FES are social democracy, good governance, peace and security, climate change and decent work for all to achieve economic transformation and sustainable development.

The Economic Policy Research Network is a Research and Training Institution with Non-Governmental Organization status. It has the mission, "to contribute to the evidence based economic policy making by providing high quality research, building capacity and creating networking opportunities."

3. Background : Why this project ?

Worldwide and in Africa, the contribution of women in the socio-economic development is undeniable : Their work in education from childhood, informal and formal work play an important role in the society. However, there is still a long way to go to improve gender equality and gender mainstreaming across different development sectors to empower women. In line with the support of the Rwandan Government and further international institutions the approach has the intention to strengthen their capacities and to include their knowledge, expertise and perspectives in the socio-economic transformation and sustainable development.

Following that perspective, FES Rwanda together with EPRN are organizing a female working group on socio-economic transformation. The group will continuously work on related topics and discuss internally and together with national, regional, and international experts to ensure the gender perspective.

4. Approach :

EPRN and FES Rwanda are offering from February to October 2021 several (virtual) working sessions and online discussions around the overall topic “Socio-Economic Transformation”.

5. Objectives :

The specific objectives are

  • to create a female working group on socio-economic transformation.
  • to increase the economic understanding of the participants.
  • to integrate gender perspectives in the socio-economic transformation of the country and the region
  • to give women a platform and exposure to various socio-economic aspects.

6. Participants : up to 20 female participants will be selected from different professional background including civil servants from Ministries & districts, Academia / Media / Trade Unions / Private Sector / universities (incl. Students) with knowledge and further interest in socio-economic issues

7. Working language :English

8. Agerange :25 - 40 years old

9. Registration : Open for the above criteria combined with other selection criteria that will be detailed in the selection process. selection by the organizers.

Register here

10. Other requirements : Interest and time to attend all sessions of the working group.

11. Timeframe : February - October 2021

12. Specific timeframe :

1st virtual workshop : Wednesday & Thursday, 17th -18th of February 2021

Introduction - What is Socio-Economic Transformation ?

Successful international examples for socio-economic transformation.

What means socio-economic transformation in the African context ?

Rwanda and its Vision 2050 - overview on national economic strategies

Followed by Monthly Zoom discussions / max. 2 hours / month

Tuesday, 09th of March, 2pm

Which impact could the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have on the socio-economic development of East-Africa ?

Tuesday, 20th of April, 2pm

Socio-economic transformation for Rwanda ’growth and sustainable development

Tuesday, 11th of May, 2pm

Human capital development as the key strategy of Rwanda economic growth

2nd virtual workshop

Tuesday, + Wednesday, 8th - 9th of June

Evaluation if the previous sessions

Women role in advancement of regional integration and economic cooperation

The Socio-economic framework for Covid-19 responses

Women role in economic policy analysis and advocacy :

opportunities and challenges.

How is the Rwandan economy structured ? What are the regional challenges, comparative advantages, and disadvantages ?

Followed by Monthly Zoom discussions / max. 2 hours / months

Tuesday, 13th of July, 2pm

The role of informal economy and entrepreneurship in sosio-economic transformation

Tuesday, 10th of August, 2pm

Rwanda’s Industrial Strategy

Tuesday, 14th of September, 2pm

Is there a “feminist” economy ?

3. (virtual) Workshop Kigali (if possible), Tuesday & Wednesday, 12th and 13th of October 2021

Vison 2050 : what are the prerequisites for women active / inclusiveness ?

Evaluation of the program / way forward & Closing Ceremony

Deadline for receipt of applications :
Sunday, 31st of January 2021 , 6pm

Information Session : Monday, 25th of January 2021 - 3pm (virtually) - please register via

info@eprnrwanda.org or info@fes-rwanda.org (until Friday, 23rd of January, without registration we will not be able to send you the ZOOM credentials)

Registration form