Accelerate 2030: Scaling entrepreneurial solutions for the Sustainable Develop-ment Goals

The achievement of the SDGs will need the engagement of the private sector. Not only financial resources and know-how of multinationals will be necessary, but the potential and innovative spirit of social entrepreneurs will also have to be tapped. These social enterprises combine social and green with economic objectives. They integrate the idea of responsible, inclusive and sustainable business into their core business. However, in order for them to have an important impact on the ground, they have to scale their business model[1]. For this to happen, they need to gain specific skills (e.g. management and fundraising) and a robust network of business partners and investors.

[1]    Scaling a business is more than just growing a business. When we talk about scaling it is meant that entrepreneurs add on revenue faster than their costs grow. So it is much about increasing efficiency.

Primary beneficiaries: 200[1] social entrepreneurs in developing countries

Secondary beneficiaries:15+ local impact hubs developing countries

Ultimate beneficiaries: Those that are left behind, especially poor and vulnerable men and women boys and girls.

[1] SDC has given the IHG a 30% gender target. This means, either social entreprises are women led or they have a positive impact on gender equality with their products and services.

Specifically, the objectives of the 3-year project are to:

1.     15 National Implementation Partners’ (local impact hubs) capacity to deliver scaling support to social entrepreneurs is strengthened.

2.     Key stakeholders’ (UN, investors, corporates) collaboration with social entrepreneurs is strengthened.

3.    The social entrepreneur’s capacity to scale their impact on the SDGs is increased.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

- 15+ National Impact Hubs from developing countries trained to implement Accelerate 2030 per program cycle

- 200 social entrepreneurs supported nationally and 30 globally and participated in the Global Scaling Week in Geneva

- Collaboration Guide for impact hubs and UNDP country offices developed and implemented

- Key stakeholders (UN, local government, investors, corporates) engaged with the program

- Presentation and visibility in key international fora and media[1]

- Scaling Toolkit strengthened and continuously updated so that local impact hubs can more effectively support social entrepreneurs

[1] Incl. within the investment community, the UN, international media, the local ecosystems and the general public

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

The Accelerate 2030 program has had three editions. Main results and insights:

-        It has become the world largest scaling program focused on SDGs engaging over 30 local impact hubs

-        The program has connected UNDP country offices with Impact Hubs with a number of national SDG focused initiatives that have grown out of this

-        Accelerate 2030 has fed into national and international policy fora, e.g. two side-events during 2018 UNGA

-        The Accelerate 2030 Global Scaling Week in Geneva has connected over 25 social entrepreneurs with the Swiss ecosystem.

-        The program has played a key role in shaping the first Building Bridges Week in 2019 in Geneva.

-        Specific results from the 2017/2018 cohort of entrepreneurs (see Annex 1b)[1]

[1] Source: IHG reports

1.     UNDP Geneva and UNDP country offices

2.     SDG Lab in Geneva

3.     Building Bridges Week in Geneva

4.     UNDP Business Call to Action

5.     Impact Hub Basel (supported by GPH)

6.    Various Projects from SC (KEP) 

Phase 1 01.04.2020 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)