How we assess proposals

GEXSI uses a project assessment scorecard and development impact measure to gauge the merits of project proposal. We report accordingly on the assessment methodologies - such as Social Return On Investment - of BoP Fund investments to the Board of Trustees to ensure that we continue to support projects that further the charity’s strategic aims.

Criteria for investment

We base our investment decisions predominantly on the following criteria:

Development Impact: The project must endow measurable social impact and contribute to poverty alleviation.

Entrepreneurial spirit: The project must operate on markets, striving for financial sustainability.

Investment leverage: We facilitate access to soft funding where this makes businesses eligible for further, market-based, funding.

Scalability/Replicability: The project must have significant potential for scaling up or replication, to maximize social and/or environmental impact if proven successful.

Management Capacity: Positive references and second opinions from the GEXSI network are very important to us; entrepreneurs should have strong management capacities, be ready to learn from others and to cooperate with GEXSI and other partners.