By taking a holistic approach to partnering with local financial and non-financial service providers, the Ignite Program opens up much-needed access to finance, technology, and networks and builds entrepreneurship capacity and skills. The program runs in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam where large segments of unserved micro and small enterprises are ready for investment.
Interested in partnering with Ignite? Contact us at ignite@care.org.
How three female entrepreneurs are working with the Ignite program to grow their businesses around the world.
Funded by a grant of 5.26m USD from the Mastercard Impact Fund, Ignite will reach 3.9 million entrepreneurs, directly supporting 131,000 entrepreneurs, with a strong emphasis on women. Focused on micro and small businesses with employees who have been in business for at least two years, this program will unleash their potential as agents for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It will also build their resilience in the face of COVID-19 and increase financial security for entrepreneurs, their families, and employees.
Micro and small enterprises are the economic backbone of most economies worldwide, increasing employment and reinvesting in local communities. However, they are often described as the ‘missing middle’ as they remain unserved or underserved by financial and non-financial service providers. The total Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise finance gap in developing countries is 5 trillion USD.1
The Ignite Program aims to change that by working with local partners to adapt products and services to innovatively meet this vital group’s needs. The program focuses on serving women as, despite being disproportionately disadvantaged, they are: drivers of economic growth, good credit customers, fast adopters of ecommerce, and reinvest in local communities. Enabling women to gain better access to finance could unlock 330 billion USD in annual global revenue.2
Women-centered design acknowledges that women’s needs and the barriers they face are fundamentally different to men. Barriers might include laws and political systems that disadvantage women, harmful gender and social norms, and limited access to finance due to no credit history or collateral, male guarantor requirements, or restrictions on land ownership. Read More
In 2020, millions of women left the workforce. As the pandemic accelerates the move toward a digital economy, women are at risk of being left behind. Read More
The global pandemic has pushed many small businesses to collapse. For women entrepreneurs, the impact has been significantly worse as childcare responsibilities increased, supply chains collapsed, a dependency on digital skills went up, and women were forced to fight for survival. Read More
Our assessment highlights some of the harmful social norms experienced by women entrepreneurs.
Our assessment reveals the barriers that women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam face.
This report covers progress to date of the Ignite program as of July 2021.
Over three years, the Ignite project will reach almost 2 million entrepreneurs in Pakistan, accelerating the growth of 45,000 enterprises. Read More
Over three years, the Ignite project will reach almost 1 million entrepreneurs in Peru, accelerating the growth of 35,898 enterprises. Read More
Over three years, the Ignite project will reach almost 1 million entrepreneurs in Vietnam, accelerating the growth of 50,000 enterprises. Read More
Digital tools helped Hina streamline her business, giving her the freedom to spend more time with family.
With access to capital and training, Pham Phuong Thao's business is flourishing in Vietnam.
Fariha is supporting a network of artisans through her business.
After COVID-19 halted her tourism business, Fouzia knew that learning digital skills were crucial to success.
At age 21, Nguyen Thi Hien took over her family business. Since then, she's been taking the business world by storm.
Maria Elena Menacho García has two jewelry stores and wants to expand online.
Tran Quynh Anh imports foods and believes that passion and hard work will break down all barriers.
Adnan Ali has a strong head for business and is keen to diversify his plastics business.
María Julia Ancajima Prado has come a long way since starting domestic work at the age of only 13.
Hina runs a Girl’s Hostel in Pakistan and is passionate about what women entrepreneurs can achieve.
Saeeda runs a clothing store in Pakistan and explains how she has improved her financial management with CARE’s support.
Find out how Ignite is supporting entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and build resilience.
CARE President and CEO Michelle Nunn gives an update on the process of the Ignite program in Vietnam, Pakistan, & Peru.
Through Ignite, Jesús has strengthened the women entrepreneurs in the association she leads in Peru, despite COVID-19.
Mastercard and CARE announced their partnership for the Ignite Program during the Global Inclusive Growth Summit. The $5.26M partnership will reach 3.9 million entrepreneurs and open up much-needed access to finance, technology, and networks and build entrepreneurship capacity and skills.
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