CHF 28 Mio. committed,
CHF 354 Mio. mobilized
SSF to contribute to Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth
SSF is one of SECO’s economic and trade measures to promote “Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth”, which corresponds to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No 8. Under SDG 8, SECO has formulated four Target Outcomes. SSF’s investments shall mainly contribute to Target Outcome I “more and better jobs”.
As a second priority, SSF investments may also contribute to Outcome II “increased trade and greater competitiveness”. In addition, SSF aims at the specific outcome of raising additional private capital in all of its investments.
SSF’s Theory of Change
SSF Outcome Measurement Process
SSF’s framework for measuring progress towards outcomes was developed with support of Brugger Hanser Partner (BHP) and in consultation with the SECO evaluation unit. The following Key Performance Indicators have been defined to measure performance towards defined outcomes:
| SECO Outcomes | Key Performance Indicators | |
| New and retained formal jobs | Number of newly created and/or retained formal and permanent fulltime (≥ 70% employment) jobs separated into men and women. | quantitative |
| New and retained formal jobs | Number of temporary (< 70% employment) or seasonal or subcontracted jobs separated into men and women. | quantitative |
| More qualified work force | Number of trained staff by the project separated into men and women, across different categories such as workmen/ women, senior management, local suppliers/contractors, apprentices etc. | quantitative and qualitative |
| Fair salaries, safe employment and work conditions | Salary levels in company compared to minimum salary levels | quantitative |
| Fair salaries, safe employment and work conditions | Non-financial benefits to employees | qualitative |
| Fair salaries, safe employment and work conditions | Working conditions | qualitative |
| SSF Specific Outcome | Key Performance Indicators | |
| Capital Raised | Amount of capital invested | quantitative |
The framework foresees the collection of KPI data with each of the active borrowers of the SECO Start-up Fund at least once a year. This allows to track the data for each borrower project over the duration of the loan. All loan agreements with SECO define outcomes and respective KPIs for each borrower project and oblige borrowers to provide data until the loan is paid back. To measure also long-term impact, some key data points are collected and evaluated also after repayments are done.
KPI data are collected annually by FINANCEcontact though a specific questionnaire to be filled out and signed by the borrower or his/her delegate. The data are sent to BHP who reviews and analysis them and prepares them for the report of FINANCEcontact to the Expert Committee and SECO. This ensures a critical external view on the data. In addition, regular site visits of FINANCEcontact (and/or Embassy/SCO staff) are used to verify the data provided.
