Mastercard initiative supports Slovak small businesses

The Great Week of Small Businesses initiative, owned by Mastercard and co-founded with ČSOB, is entering its second year to support small enterprises in Slovakia. The program aims to help businesses operate more efficiently, leverage the digital economy, and gain access to practical tools, data, and know-how.

Scheduled to take place from September 21 to 27, 2026, the initiative offers free registration for various sectors, including gastronomy, retail, crafts, services, culture, sports, and accommodation. Participating companies receive a digital business card and a location on an interactive map to help customers discover local services.

This support comes as Slovak entrepreneurs face significant challenges. According to the EY Entrepreneurial Barometer 2026, up to 84% of entrepreneurs consider the business environment in Slovakia to be unfavorable. Key obstacles include bureaucracy, regulatory complexity, rising costs for wages and energy, and economic uncertainty, which remains the primary barrier to investment for nearly three-quarters of Slovak firms.