Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are of great importance to all countries’ economic growth, playing a critical role in driving recovery from COVID-19 and acting as the entrepreneurial power houses of the nation.

Between 2020 and 2023, Crown Agents designed and ran the EBRD’s Know How Academy platform, a high-profile digital training project. Originally launched as a rapid crisis response to assist small businesses during the pandemic, this free-to-use online learning and advice hub evolved to train MSMEs in practical skills including trade export, financial management, digital marketing and leadership. Available in multiple languages, the programme included ten custom designed e-learning modules and a wealth of tools and resources from knowledge partners and sector experts. The programme supported businesses across 30 economies where the EBRD operates.

With the goal of building an ever-larger community of MSMEs and providing  an integrated suite of services in a digital setting, this programme is one of the ways the EBRD is helping to ensure long term sustainable economic growth across its key regions.

The programme resulted in:

20,000 registered users
14,000 modules completed
35,000 tools downloaded

“eLearning is becoming increasingly more prevalent as a teaching tool. With Crown Agents we have been at the forefront of turning eLearning into a medium that can be multilingual, multicountry and be a force for good in accessing underserved communities that aspire to better their knowledge of
business management.”
ALEX PAINE, Associate Director, EBRD.