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Expression of Interest (EOI)

WEConnect International Certification Pilot

Funded Certification Opportunity for Women-Owned Businesses in New South Wales

About WEConnect International

WEConnect International is the leading global non-profit dedicated to driving money into the hands of women business owners by connecting them with large corporate, multilateral, and government buyers around the world. Its 180+ member buyers represent more than $4 trillion in annual purchasing power and are committed to sourcing from women-owned businesses in over 135 countries. WEConnect International identifies, educates, registers, and certifies businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, managed, and controlled, providing Women’s Business Enterprise Certification in over 60 countries. With a global network of 20,000+ women-owned businesses, WEConnect International is committed to unleashing the full economic potential of women-owned businesses worldwide.

About the Opportunity

WEConnect International are seeking Expressions of Interest from eligible women-owned businesses to receive fully funded WEConnect International certification for a period of three years.

WEConnect International certification is a globally recognised certification for businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, managed and controlled. Certification provides access to supplier diversity networks and can support businesses seeking procurement opportunities with corporations and government agencies committed to inclusive sourcing.

Through this pilot, up to 50 eligible businesses will be selected to receive:

Three-year WEConnect International certification (fully funded)
Access to a WEConnect International educational session covering:
The value of certification
Supplier diversity programs
How women-owned businesses can engage with procurement opportunities
Participation in a buyer insight session delivered by corporate procurement professionals
Guidance and support throughout the certification process
The NSW Government has partnered with WEConnect International to develop this pilot which aims to strengthen the pipeline of procurement-ready women-owned businesses in New South Wales and increase participation in corporate and government supply chains.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, applicants must:

Be a business that is at least 51% women-owned, managed and controlled.
Be based in New South Wales or have significant business operations within New South Wales.
Have an established product or service offering.
Demonstrate readiness and interest in engaging with corporate and/or government procurement opportunities.
Commit to participate in the certification process and related program activities.

Priority Sectors

Applications are welcome from all eligible women-owned businesses. However, priority consideration will be given to businesses operating in sectors that align with current and emerging government and corporate procurement demand, including:

Construction & Infrastructure
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
Professional & Consulting Services
Transport & Logistics
Facilities & Property Services
Health & Medical Supplies
Human & Community Services
Education & Training
Energy & Utilities
Corporate & Administrative Services.

Operating within a priority sector does not guarantee selection; however, it may strengthen an application's alignment with the objectives of the pilot.

Applications encouraged from women under-represented in business

To support women who face intersecting barriers and are under-represented in business, applications are strongly encouraged from businesses that support the following priority cohorts:

· Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

· Culturally and linguistically diverse women

· Women with disability

· Women and girls li
1.Business Name(Required.)
2.ABN(Required.)
3.Business Website:(Required.)
4.Primary Contact Name:(Required.)
5.Position:(Required.)
6.Email Address:(Required.)
7.Phone Number:(Required.)
8.Business Location (City/Town):(Required.)
9.Year Established:(Required.)
10.Number of Employees:(Required.)
11.Annual Turnover Range:(Required.)
12.Ownership and Control - Please confirm the following:(Required.)
13.Please provide a brief description of your ownership and management structure.(Required.)
14.Business Overview

Please provide a brief overview of your business, including:

Products and/or services offered
Key customers or markets
Competitive strengths
·Any work that supports people/communities that face intersecting barriers(Required.)
15.Sector Alignment

Please indicate the sector that best describes your business:(Required.)
16.Please describe how your products or services align with procurement opportunities within your selected sector.(Required.)
17.Have you previously supplied to any government agency, corporate organisation, university, health service, or large institution?(Required.)
18.What systems, licences, accreditations, certifications, policies, or capabilities does your business currently have that support delivery to larger customers?

Examples may include:

ISO certifications
WHS systems
Quality management systems
Environmental management systems
Security clearances
Industry licences
Insurance coverage(Required.)
19.Please describe your capacity to scale delivery if successful in securing larger contracts.(Required.)
20.Why are you interested in obtaining WEConnect International certification?(Required.)
21.How do you intend to use certification to support your business growth and access procurement opportunities?(Required.)
22.What growth opportunities are you currently pursuing?

Examples may include:

Government procurement
Corporate supply chains
Major projects
Export opportunities
New markets or customer segments(Required.)
23.What are your business growth objectives over the next three years, and how do you believe certification will contribute to achieving these objectives?(Required.)
24.Commitment to Participation

Successful applicants will be expected to:

Participate in program information sessions.
Participate in the buyer insight session.
Complete the certification process within agreed timeframes.
Provide information required for pilot reporting and evaluation activities.
Engage actively with opportunities arising from the program.

Please confirm:(Required.)
25.Diversity and Inclusion (Optional)

To support broad representation across New South Wales, applicants may choose to provide information regarding:

Regional or rural business location
First Nations business ownership
Culturally and linguistically diverse ownership
Disability-inclusive leadership
Other relevant diversity characteristics
This information is optional and will only be used to support cohort diversity considerations.

To support broad representation from women-focused communities across NSW, please provide additional information about your organisation and leadership.
Assessment Process

Applications will first be assessed for eligibility for WEConnect International certification.

Eligible applications will then be assessed against the following criteria:

Assessment Criteria

Business maturity and operational readiness - 20%
Capacity and intent to engage with procurement opportunities - 30%
Potential benefit and impact of certification - 20%
Alignment with priority procurement sectors and market opportunities - 20%
Growth ambition and scalability - 10%

In addition to the assessment criteria above, WEConnect International will seek to establish a balanced cohort that:

Reflects participation across priority procurement sectors;
Represents geographic diversity across metropolitan, regional, and rural New South Wales;
Includes a mix of emerging and established women-owned business with growth potential; and
Supports broad participation from diverse women-owned business communities.

Final selections will be undertaken collaboratively by WEConnect International.
26.I declare that the information provided in this Expression of Interest is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.(Required.)
27.Name:(Required.)
28.Position:
29.Business Name:(Required.)
30.Date:(Required.)