Evaluation of the Canada-Poland Entrepreneurs Fund

The Canada-Poland Entrepreneurs Fund (CPEF) is a $32 million CIDA project designed to encourage the creation and development of the Polish private sector in northwest Poland through loans to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The Project provides up to $24 million resources for loan products targeted at SMEs by the Polish Partner Bank as well as up to $3 million of support for training and technical advisory services for Bank personnel and SMEs. CPEF has two primary targets and purposes: (i) to improve the economic viability of Polish SMEs and (ii) to strengthen the risk-based lending skills of a Polish Partner Bank. The project is implemented through the Canada-Poland Entrepreneurship Fund Foundation (CPEF Foundation). The evaluation focused on the results and management of the Technical Assistance and training component. Universalia had overall responsibility for designing, planning and managing the review and preparing key deliverables. Universalia collected data in Canada and Poland, analyzed data, drafted reports and made several presentations to CIDA, CPEF and the Government of Poland.