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Would the Alcoa Foundation invite a proposal from Bpeace, the U.S.-based non-profit focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship in Rwanda? We seek $10,000 in funding for travel scholarships or prize money for our Race for Innovation competition.

Who: Bpeace (Business Council for Peace) is a 501(C) 3 non-profit international network of business professionals who volunteer to help entrepreneurs in countries emerging from war expand their businesses, create employment, and build a more peaceful future for their communities. We believe: more jobs mean less violence. The U.S. Department of State recognizes the effectiveness of our work and has been partially financially supporting our program in Afghanistan since 2004. Publications including The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek have covered our work.

Why Rwanda: 15 years after the genocide that saw nearly 1 million killed in 90 days, Rwanda is emerging as a role model for the rest of Africa as a country moving towards self-sustainability and lifting all its citizens from poverty through economic development. The U.S. and Rwandan governments are promoting private sector competitiveness by advancing sound investment, business friendly policies and bolstering public private institutions. Promotion of private sector productivity centers around two of the top three Rwandan exports - coffee and tourism.

Why Alcoa Foundation: Bpeace is a proven expression of your Areas of Excellence, especially in “global education and workplace skills.” Rwanda needs increased training to spark job creation and build an environment that attracts more investment and provides resources for their communities to become more sustainable and stable. Alcoa could be a catalyst for Rwanda’s economic reconstruction – creating stability and sustained peace.