No one too small to make a difference

This article introduces the Swiss Triple Impact and summarizes the keynote held by Martin Studer, the 25th of August at the Impact Hub Basel.

Swiss Triple Impact is a program designed and initiated by BLab, a non-profit organization that serves to redefine business success so that companies not only compete to be the best in the world but the best for the world.

Swiss Triple Impact helps Swiss companies to measure their contributions to the sustainable development goals (SDGs), letting them identify the most important areas for improvement.

The program is open to Swiss companies, NGOs and other organizations of all sizes and sectors.

A significant number of participants are startups that want to do it right from the beginning. Many established businesses already have a sustainability program and have joined the STI program to get support in aligning their goals and exchange ideas with other STI participants.

The 17 SDGs and their targets set the basis for the realization of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. It’s an ambitious agenda that wants to set the world on a course of inclusive, sustainable development.

While the SDGs are formulated and designed for political entities, you can translate these SDGs from country-wide goals to organizational goals with the STI program. After completing the program, a participant prioritizes on 4 or 5 SDGs that are crucial for the sustainability strategy with well-defined pledges and action plans for the further improvement.

The sustainable development goals.

Step 1: Introduction

In an introductory workshop, you’ll learn everything about the SDGs and the STI program. This allows you and your team to establish a baseline of knowledge.

Step 2: Workshops

In a prioritization workshop, you define what SDGs you want to focus on. In a subsequent implementation workshop, you work on methods to transform your business toward these SDGs.

Step 3: STI Directory

If you want, you can get listed in the STI Directory for everyone to see your pledge and action plan.

The SDG action manager is a free online tool anyone can use. It helps you identify which SDGs are most relevant to you based on your company profile. You can further measure your contributions, set goals and improve your performance.

Once you’ve answered around 30 baseline questions, you’ll get an idea of what SDGs might be relevant to your company. This is a great start for organizations that want to become more sustainable, but do not know where to start. “The pricing for participating in the Swiss Triple Impact Program depends on your company’s annual turnover (starting at 1’400 CHF).”

As part of our venture mentoring service, we offer technology driven and innovative startups personal guidance to a sustainable growth path.

We inform you about relevant organizations and partners that help us transform our economy into a sustainable future. Keep an eye out for further developments