Mastercard Strive in Czechia: supporting 250,000 small businesses to succeed in the digital economy

MSEs in Czechia face many barriers. These include low rates of digitalization, lack of access to tailored finance, and insufficient access to skills-building, peer networks, and tools that improve productivity. These barriers are compounded by poor coordination across agencies, leading to fragmented public support and confusion for entrepreneurs. The Mastercard Strive in Czechia program addresses these barriers by focusing on several aspects in concert.

The end goal is to contribute to the digitalization and development of more than 200,000 MSEs, of which at least 80,000 will be women-led or -owned. The program will support 40,000 MSEs to have an easier path to financial services for their business. The program also aspires to support at least 10,000 MSEs led or owned by displaced Ukrainian entrepreneurs.

1. Simplify the path to digitalization for SMEs and increase access to finance and a range of critical support services through a one-stop-shop online platform

As part of the program, a comprehensive online platform “Pro Podnikavé” has been launched to support owners of micro and small businesses in the Czech Republic. This platform provides access to assessments, essential resources, digital tools, events, mentoring, and tailored advice to facilitate their growth. Besides that, the program actively engages in shaping systemic changes to improve the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Czech Republic, fostering a dynamic community of entrepreneurs.

2. Understand the needs of small entrepreneurs via qualitative and quantitative research

The program carries out both qualitative and quantitative research to gain insights into the needs of micro and small businesses in the Czech Republic. Reports from Barometer research exploring various facets such as technological adoption and perceptions of gender roles are published annually. Additionally, in collaboration with the Institute of Sociology at the Czech Academy of Sciences, the program has undertaken qualitative research to deepen our understanding of the environment of women-led businesses.

3. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Addressing Unique Challenges in Work-Life Balance

The program prioritizes addressing the unique needs of women in business, recognizing the distinct challenges they encounter, such as managing time effectively and fulfilling caregiving responsibilities. Research emphasizes the struggles that women face in balancing work and care duties, which often delays their entry into the business arena. This understanding shapes our efforts to support women entrepreneurs more effectively.

4. Supporting displaced entrepreneurs from Ukraine

Furthermore, the program extends its support to displaced entrepreneurs from Ukraine, offering a range of services such as mentoring, counseling, and business information in Ukrainian. This support aims to help them overcome obstacles and achieve financial stability as they establish or develop businesses in the Czech Republic.

5. Strengthens the Czech entrepreneurial support system through the Strive Learning Network

Strive Learning Network will aid in the creation of partnerships and foster an environment of collaboration and information sharing.

IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS

CARE in the Czech Republic, part of the CARE International confederation, serves as the project lead and primary partner to Strive Czechia. Micro and small enterprises are one of the most important links to a sustainable economy in the European Union. Our aim is to help small Czech entrepreneurs and businesswomen on their way to successful entrepreneurship. We pay special attention to women who, despite their potential and strong representation in the business sphere, are often neglected. In the context of the current situation in Ukraine and throughout Europe, we will also provide support to Ukrainian businessmen and women and help them to restart their businesses in the Czech Republic.

Care International - Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. This year, CARE and partners worked in 113 countries implementing 1,600 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian aid projects and initiatives that reached 167,000,000 people.

AMSP ČR - Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and Tradesmen of the Czech Republic was founded in 2001 as a politically independent body that is the main representative of the broadest business segment in the Czech Republic. It represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tradesmen as well as associations, guilds and associations representing specific professional interests.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic is the most important representative of the business sector. It brings together more than 16,000 members organized in 59 chambers in regions and in 125 industry associations, guilds and clusters. More than 60 of the 100 largest Czech companies are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Czechitas is a non-profit organization that opens the world of IT to women. It inspires, educates and helps to better careers. For small and medium-sized businessmen and women, Czechitas is a bridge to the latest knowledge in digital skills and cybersecurity. Courses offered by Czechitas are designed to meet current market needs and are accessible to those new to IT as well as advanced learners.

DoToho!, a Mentoring program run by Opero, is for all owners and managers who want to move their small and medium-sized businesses forward. We help small businesses grow. We value practical experience, knowledge and working on ourselves.

The Aspen Institute Central Europe (AICE) is an independent platform that facilitates interdisciplinary and regional cooperation. AICE promotes values-based leadership with the conviction that it is essential for a free and just society.

The Strive Czechia program is implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, granted by Minister Ing. Jozef Síkela.

The research is conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic under the auspices of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, granted by the Government Commissioner for Human Rights Mgr. Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková.