Outcome 1: Companies in the selected sectors grow by improving products and services and expanding markets

Outcome 2: Improved services and policy and regulatory framework are conducive to companies’ growth in the selected sectors

Outcome 3: Companies provide more attractive and inclusive working conditions for employees, particularly youth and women

Expected results:  

- More than 2’700 jobs and CHF 26 million of additional earning income for un- or under- employed

- Net additional profit of CHF 2 million for SMEs;

- Access to CHF 40 million of funding for 250 firms

- Use of business development services by more than 500 firms/individuals

- Incentives to employ women and/or youth introduced by 25 firms

Results from previous phases:   IME Phase 1 contributed to 2,300+ jobs, of which 1,150 occupied by youth, 870 occupied by women and 600 occupied by rural population. The most significant results were achieved in the tourism and hospitality, organic agriculture and IT sectors, and less in the sustainable building and product design sectors. In preparation for Phase 2, in 2018 and early 2019, an implementing partner was selected through an open tender, the project implementation unit was established, and analyses and stakeholders consultations to inform the design of Phase 2 were carried out.