Our target
Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are the economic backbone of most economies worldwide, yet they remain largely unserved or underserved by financial and non-financial service providers. For women entrepreneurs, access to finance is a major barrier and the finance gap for women globally is estimated at $1.7 trillion. Women also face restrictive social norms, less digital access, a lack of education and skills, and lack a supportive environment.
CARE’s Women’s Entrepreneurship programming reduces those challenges. We focus on growth-oriented businesses, the majority of which typically have two to ten employees and have been in business for more than two years. By growing these entrepreneurs through capital and skills, they in turn can employ more people in their communities, helping others out of poverty. These growth entrepreneurs are becoming trailblazers for others, including their own staff, demonstrating the power and potential of women in business.
Our model
CARE’s entrepreneurship and financial equality programming offers a combination of services – both financial and non-financial – that are essential to creating sustainable growth for women entrepreneurs. Our market-based approach – working with local financial service providers – ensures that the products and services supporting these entrepreneurs are both ongoing and growth-oriented in the long-term.
