Flagship project
Strengthening small businesses in Ukraine, Georgia & Moldova
We strengthened financial inclusion and entrepreneurship in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova by training over 1,200 MSMEs and building the capacity of financial institutions through tailored support and digital tools.
The challenge
MSMEs in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova face barriers to accessing financial services and lack key business skills, challenges made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. ENTAFI focused on strengthening financial inclusion, building the capacity of financial institutions, and supporting entrepreneurship to boost economic growth and reduce poverty.
Our goal
To promote responsible financial inclusion and entrepreneurship among lower-income populations in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova by strengthening the capacity of partner FIs and supporting MSMEs to access finance, build business skills, and contribute to economic growth and resilience.
Our approach
ENTAFI delivered tailored advisory to and built capacity of both partner financial institutions (FIs) and MSMEs. The project also developed digital tools and facilitated knowledge exchange. By offering customized training, coaching, and support for digital platforms, ENTAFI helped FIs to better serve their MSME clients to access finance, improve their business skills, and adapt to crisis situations. Flexibility and rapid adaptation were key, enabling continued support during the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the war in Ukraine through online trainings, webinars, and remote advisory.
Impact in numbers
Key highlights
- Supported the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in establishing an Entrepreneurship Training Centre
- Co-developed the Akido.ge e-commerce platform in Georgia
- Jointly with a professional association, designed and delivered financial literacy and business planning trainings for small winemakers in Georgia
- Provided webinars and coaching for small entrepreneurs who relocated businesses within and/or from Ukraine to Moldova and Georgia
- In response to COVID-19 challenges, developed the "Business Continuity Plan" for Credo Bank in Georgia
- Created and upgraded digital tools and business community platforms, such as Akido.ge and KALO.GE
- Adapted to the local environment and carried out a set of business games for small farmers in Ukraine
Voices from the field
I would like to thank the EIB and GOPA Pro for successful implementation of the Business Continuity Plan, which is especially important in current unprecedented COVID-19 times.
I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to enhance Credo Bank's AML/Sanctions and Anti-Financial Crime directions. With the invaluable support of GOPA Pro and the consultancy services provided [...], we have successfully executed another project. [...] Thank you once again for your trust, collaboration, and the generous financial support provided by GOPA Pro, which made this project possible.
Success story
Mate Dolidze
Mate Dolidze is one of the final beneficiaries of the project. At his family winery "Marani" in Tskaltubo, Georgia, he produces a variety of wines and offers wine tastings, cooking classes, lunch and dinner with homemade food. Mate was participating in our financial literacy trainings and explains to us: "The Wine Club increased my awareness about financial operations. It gave me a deeper understanding of how to identify opportunities and grow the business. My newly acquired knowledge also encouraged me to apply for the government grants and successfully complete all the steps."
Thanks to the training program and professional consultancy I'm now able to understand my cashflow better, identify problems and resolve them, find new markets and ways to maximize revenue opportunities.
Founder, Marani winery · Tskaltubo, Georgia