Colombia: SEC - Tailored support for small business with growth potential

Swisscontact

Swisscontact is an independent, non-profit development organization committed to sustainable economic development and the prosperity of people in developing and emerging countries. The focus is on empowering individuals through skill development and enhancing the competitiveness of businesses.

The Hirschmann Foundation has been cooperating with Swisscontact since 2010, to date mainly in Africa.  Starting in 2025, a new project in Colombia will be sponsored, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Empowering Colombian Businesses

Colombia's economy is largely dependent on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs contribute 80% of employment and 40% of the gross domestic product. However, their growth potential is hindered by low productivity and limited innovation.

The Senior Expert Contact (SEC) Colombia project offers an innovative approach to supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in Colombia. Tailored and affordable short-term consultations by voluntary experts increase their competitiveness, contributing to job creation and poverty reduction.

The project not only aims to unlock the growth potential of the 100 SMEs that will receive consultancy by the end of the project but also establishes a sustainable offering by building a locally managed pool of expertise.

Homegrown Expertise

A central aspect is the promotion of South-South knowledge exchange. Unlike Swisscontact's previous SEC approach, which has typically involved sending retired Swiss experts from Switzerland to companies in developing and emerging countries, this project empowers a Colombian organization to build a local pool of experts and arrange assignments specifically tailored to the needs of Colombian SMEs.

The recruitment of experts is carried out in collaboration with professional networks, industry chambers, alumni organizations, and mentoring programs. Furthermore, the project takes a new approach by establishing connections with Colombian diaspora communities in the USA and Europe, while also forging new relationships with similar expert programs.

The programme launches as a pilot project in South America and aims to build a network of experts across Central and South America.