Forum for Women Entrepreneurs in British Columbia

Published purpose

This 29-month project will support a feminist response and recovery from the current impacts of COVID-19, through systemic change. Forum for Women Entrepreneurs in British Columbia will achieve this by working with funders, such as traditional financial institutions and equity investors, to remove or reduce women entrepreneurs’ barriers to accessing capital in order to grow their business. Funders will be invited to join a certification program that would involve educating staff, advancing new inclusive policies and practices, revisiting external and internal processes and updating their corporate culture. A particular focus will be put on addressing harmful perceptions and prejudices that funders may have towards women entrepreneurs and on recognizing and addressing the unique systemic barriers faced by Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour (BIWOC). A working group made up of representatives of women entrepreneurs and financial institutions, along with the voices of BIWOC and LGBTQ2S+ entrepreneurs and research on adapted funding practices, will inform the development of the processes, inclusive policies and practices and certification program. At the end of the project, the organization will have contributed to addressing systemic barriers by advancing inclusive policies and practices, encouraging more equitable and effective sharing of resources, increasing networks and collaboration to accelerate systemic change, supporting positive distribution of authority, voices, and decision-making power, and addressing persistent harmful gender norms and attitudes of the system, all to support women’s equality.