What is Integra

Integra Russia, registered in 2000, is a Russian registered non-profit partnership, part of the Integra network of Community Economic agencies in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Integra Network provides finance and entrepreneurial training to help the poor climb out of poverty. We also promote practical marketplace ethics and corporate social responsibility, thus helping to strength civil society and the free market economy.

Integra runs several nonprofit projects such as the Micro-Enterprise Development Program, the Financial Literacy Program, Small Loans for Entrepreneurs, Master Classes for Entrepreneurs, and a Consulting Program.

Integra’s mission is to create economic opportunities that give the vulnerable a life of dignity through education, market access, and business investment. Integra works to help groups at risk gain business skills, to create job opportunities, to decrease dependency on outside assistance, to strengthen economic development, and to build a democratic civil society.

Integra Mission

The mission of The Integra Venture is to alleviate poverty, reduce unemployment and help transform communities by supporting the development of hundreds of small businesses in the depressed and developing areas of Central and Eastern Europe. We help them operate with integrity, profitability and as responsible contributors to their communities. They can then become "Islands of Integrity", committed to:

• long-term local presence
• growth and profitability
• transparent and ethical business practice
• excellent financial and social value to their stakeholders 
• investment in community development

Integra History

Integra was born in Slovakia in 1995. Two partners in a Slovak consulting company, Milan Cicel and Allan Bussard, decided to try to help the growing numbers facing an uncertain economic future in the transition economies of Central Europe. Starting with entrepreneurship training, Integra grew to provide finance, and form support groups for new entrepreneurs.

Later, a specific microenterprise program for women and a program to fight corruption in small enterprises were developed. Integra has since expanded into a network of more than 80 national staff, working with hundreds of small businesses in 10 countries in Russia, Eastern Europe and Africa.