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The concept of Give A Day emerged from the entrepreneurial community as part of the Social Network Analysis study conducted by the Credit Suisse – Swisscontact (CSSC) Initiative. This study, funded by the Credit Suisse Financial Inclusion Initiative (FII) and implemented by Swisscontact in collaboration with Impact Hub Phnom Penh, aimed to assess the connectivity among players within the entrepreneurial network in Cambodia's capital city. The research took place in 2019 and inspired the birth of Give A Day. After a successful pilot in 2021 and gaining momentum in 2022, Give a Day has proven to be a crucial platform for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs).
In 2022, Give a Day attracted the participation of over 300 ESOs. The impact of Give a Day was evident in the feedback received from the community members. A survey revealed that 100% of the respondents found the event to be an excellent opportunity to meet and exchange valuable information, while 85% acknowledged that it added value to their work. In 2023, Give a Day returns with the joint efforts of Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact as organizers. The main objective remains the same: strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystems by fostering trust-based relationships among all actors within the system.
Following the success of Give a Day in Phnom Penh, the organizers are now expanding their reach to the provinces. Alongside the regular events in Phnom Penh, Give a Day will be piloted in Siem Reap Province, marking the first step in establishing connections between different entrepreneurial ecosystems across Cambodia. The provincial Give a Day events will be held quarterly, facilitating the integration and collaboration of local ecosystems with the central hub in Phnom Penh.
The Give A Day in Siem Reap was organized in collaboration with USAID’s WE Act Project through Pact Cambodia. Along with insightful sessions, ways for individuals to get involved and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem through "Give a Day" was highlighted. Additionally, Ms. Lisa Chao, Business Networking Lead at Khmer Enterprise, shared valuable insights from previous Give a Day events in Phnom Penh.
Discussions and sessions at the event centered around establishing a cohesive entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling participants to exchange ideas and share best practices. Key insights revealed the pressing need for a centralized platform where policy makers, donors, investors, and SMEs can engage in discussions and share information. Additionally, there is a lack of an online directory for Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs). To cater to the needs of start-ups and SMEs, it is crucial to enhance skill training in vital areas such as digital marketing, business development, branding, fund-raising, and strategic consulting. Despite the current lack of access to training, information, connection, and collaboration, the system also presents networking opportunities, skill acquisition prospects, and information sharing avenues. One potential solution is to integrate skill development into university curriculums or offer short course programs.
Give a Day in Siem Reap and the ongoing events in Phnom Penh are poised to play a pivotal role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Cambodia. By fostering collaboration, trust, and knowledge exchange, Give a Day continues to empower ESOs and contribute to the overall growth and success of startups and entrepreneurs in the country.
The event was covered by the following media: