The Ignite Program: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurs - CARE

The Ignite Program: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurs

This report covers progress to date of the Ignite program as of July 2021. The Ignite program aims to reach 3.9 million entrepreneurs by 2022, directly supporting 131,000 entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on women in Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam.

Download (English)

What is the Ignite program?

CARE’s Ignite program unleashes the power of growth-oriented entrepreneurs to contribute to resilient, inclusive economies. The program runs in Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam where there are large segments of unserved and underserved micro and small enterprises ready for investment. Ignite aims to reach 3.9 million entrepreneurs by 2022, directly supporting 131,000 entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on women.

Ignite takes a market-based approach to service delivery that is sustainable and scalable, by working closely with local service providers. These partnerships open up access to much-needed financial and digital resources, while building entrepreneurs’ business capacity and networks.

As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the move toward a digital economy, women risk being left behind if we do not intervene with support and greater access to digital tools. To ensure these women entrepreneurs can survive and thrive in the digital economy, they need access to three critical enablers: capital, digital tools and skills, and a supportive environment so they can access and use these tools to their fullest. Ignite offers just that.

Ignite is supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and is part of Mastercard’s commitment to provide 25 million women entrepreneurs with digital solutions that can help them grow their businesses by 2025.

Through Ignite, entrepreneurs will gain improved access to finance, capacity building and support services. The program also addresses broader socio-cultural norms by promoting an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs will increase their financial security and confidence and stay resilient to shocks so that, ultimately, they can grow their businesses.

Related Reports

Coffee Production in Vietnam: The Impact of TEAL

Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world, however local smallholder producers face many challenges. This brief outlines the positive impacts – both intended and unintended – experienced by women farmers from ethnic minority communities as a result of the Technologically Enhanced Agricultural Livelihoods (TEAL) project. Read More

Read More

CARE Stories of Impact: Farm Bill

Around the world, CARE is in countries working to protect and enhance food, water, and nutrition security in vulnerable communities. Read More

Read More

Kenya Trip Report – Finding Durable Solutions to Hunger and Malnutrition

A bipartisan delegation of six U.S. Congressional Representatives traveled to Kenya with CARE and Save the Children’s Action Network to learn about how U.S. foreign investments are enabling communities to thrive and find durable solutions to hunger and malnutrition in the region, even as they experience economic hardship, conflict, and humanitarian crises. Read More

Read More