Women in Business Awards 2025

TIMOR-LESTE WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Associação Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste (AEMTL), in partnership with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, are honored to host the Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards 2025 under the patronage of the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.  

The Awards aim to:

• Recognize women who demonstrate excellence in their careers, businesses, and entrepreneurial ventures, while serving as role models and inspiring others.
• Recognize and encourage the efforts of public and private sector leaders, and civil society actors who contribute to advancing gender equality, diversity, good governance, and financial inclusion.
• Acknowledge institutional and individual initiatives that promote and mainstream diversity and financial inclusion for women through innovative projects, policies, and practices.

AWARD CATEGORIES AND NOMINATION CRITERIA

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES

1. Best Initiative Promoting Financial Inclusion for Women (Company / Organization / Initiative): This category recognizes an initiative/program has effectively promoted women’s financial inclusion.
2. Best Initiative Promoting Growth of Women-Led Businesses (Company / Organization / Initiative): This category recognizes an initiative that has effectively supported the growth and success of women-led businesses, particularly in the MSME sector. This may include efforts in capacity building, market and business linkages, mentoring, financial assistance, or other forms of strategic support that contribute to the sustainability and expansion of women-owned enterprises.

WOMEN LED BUSINESSES (Dili)

3. Top Women-led Business Owner of the Year- Established Business (Individual): This category recognizes a female business owner who has successfully led her business for more than 3 years, demonstrating excellence and leadership.
4. Top Women-led Start-Up of the Year (Individual): This category recognizes a female business owner who has successfully led a start-up that has shown remarkable innovation and growth within its first 3 years of operation.

WOMEN LED BUSINESSES (Municipalities)

5. Top Women-led Business Owner of the Year- Established Business (Individual): This category recognizes a female business owner who has successfully led her business for more than 3 years, demonstrating excellence and leadership.
6. Top Women-led Start-Up of the Year (Individual): This category recognizes a female business owner who has successfully led a start-up that has shown remarkable innovation and growth within its first three years of operation.

WOMEN LEADERS

7. Woman Corporate Leader of the Year -Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer/Chairman/President of Council of Administration (Individual): This category honors a top female executive who has shown exceptional leadership and management skills in her role.
8. Role Model of the Year (Individual): This category celebrates a woman who has served as an inspiring career role model to women through her mentorship, achievements, and contributions to the community.

WOMEN IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

9. Outstanding Woman Leader in the Financial Services Sector (Individual): This category acknowledges a woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership within the financial services sector, driving significant impact and change.
10. Best Gender-Focused Financial Innovation (Organization/Company/Initiative): This category recognizes innovative solutions or products in the financial services sector that specifically focus on gender inclusivity.

We invite you to fill in the form below to nominate an Individual or Company / Organization / Initiative for the  ‘Timor-Leste Women in Business Awards 2025’ which will take place on November 2025 in Dili.

📅 Nominations Open: 11 July – 5 September 2025

Nomination Requirements:

1. You may submit a nomination to nominate yourself or another person (or organization) that deserves recognition for the Women in Business Awards, with the candidate’s permission.
2. Each nomination form may be used to nominate either an individual or an organization. If you wish nominate both an individual and an organization, please complete and submit a separate nomination form for each.
3. The Nominees (the person who is being nominated) can be from the public sector, private sector, corporate sector, associations, or non-government organizations.
4. Only businesses or individuals associated with organizations based in Timor-Leste are eligible for nomination.
5. Nominees cannot be a judge or affiliated to a judge on the Awards Committee.
6. Nominations are open to individuals of all nationalities.
7. Nominations must clearly explain why the candidate deserves the selected award. Sufficient information highlighting the nominee’s individual and corporate achievements is required.
8. Winners must attend the Award Ceremony in Dili to receive their award in person.
9. Previous year’s winners are not permitted to apply for this award.

If you complete the physical form, please submit the form to the AEMTL office at Acait 10, Av, 30 de Agosto, Vera-Cruz, Díli or email it to wawardstl@ifc.org.