EVIDENCE FROM NEPAL: DO GOVERNMENT-INITIATED MSME SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOSTER INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Authors: Nirmita Shrestha, Dr Shikha Thapa Magar, Rajendra Khatri, Dr Rabita Shrestha Mulmi & Dikshya Barasaini

ABSTRACT

Inclusive entrepreneurship has gained increasing attention as a strategy for creating economic opportunities for women, youth, and other disadvantaged groups. However, there is still limited evidence on whether government entrepreneurship programs are inclusive throughout the implementation process. This study examines the inclusiveness of the Micro-Enterprise Development Program for Poverty Alleviation (MEDPA) program using an Access–Program Support–Outcomes framework. The analysis is based on survey data from 263 MEDPA beneficiaries and uses descriptive statistics to assess who the program reaches, the support beneficiaries receive, and the outcomes they achieve. The findings show that MEDPA has been successful in reaching many of its target groups, including women (56.3%), youth aged 16–40 (52.5%), and Janajati (49.8%). The study found that while entrepreneurship and technical skills training were viewed positively, access to post-establishment support, particularly financial facilitation, technological assistance, and market linkage services remained limited. However, nearly half of the beneficiaries reported increased annual sales, with women-owned enterprises performing slightly better than those owned by men. The study concludes that although MEDPA has expanded access to entrepreneurship opportunities, strengthening post-establishment business support is essential to achieve more sustainable and inclusive enterprise growth.

Keywords: inclusive entrepreneurship, government-initiated programs, MEDPA program

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