Deadline: 23-Dec-21
The European Union (EU) funded INVESTMED project has launched an open call for the sub-grants for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia to support the development, launch and implementation of an incubation and acceleration programme to enable selected entrepreneurs to take a step further towards realising their business goals.
INVESTMED is a project funded by the EU through the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) Med programme , designed to address both the economic and environmental challenges facing Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Mediterranean.
The project aims to support MSMEs in improving their competitiveness, sustainability, internationalisation, and capacity to innovate, in order to create sustainable growth and economic development.
Aims
The project aims to address economic and environmental challenges facing small businesses in the Mediterranean, in order to foster sustainable growth and economic development in three key sectors in the region:
- Green economy – in which the economic activities, infrastructures and assets of the sector enable the reduction of carbon emissions and pollution, improve energy and resource efficiency, and avoid the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Blue economy – related to oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and coasts to promote economic growth, social inclusion and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods, while avoiding environmental and ecosystem degradation.
- Creative and cultural industries – enterprises engaged in the production or reproduction, promotion, distribution or marketing of goods, services and activities with content derived from cultural, artistic or heritage origins.
Applications are now open for BSOs based in Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia, to enable them to implement an incubation and acceleration programme to support at least 12 small businesses and business ventures.
What is involved?
If you receive an INVESTMED sub-grant, you will be expected to:
- Participate in the jury of a pitch competition to select innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship initiatives to receive an MSME sub-grant.
- Incubate selected MSMEs , projects and ventures by providing coaching and mentoring services which:
- Are tailored to the needs of MSMEs, start-ups and recently established enterprises operating in the blue economy,green economy, and/or cultural and creative industries.
- Prioritise the development of young people (24-35 years old) and women (all ages)
- Are sustainable and can be implemented throughout and beyond the duration of the project
Organise local business events that enhance collaboration between entrepreneurs and key players (investors , business angels, decision-makers etc.)
Selected BSOs will implement an incubation and acceleration programme to support at least 12 MSMEs and ventures including:
- startups or recently created enterprises
- MSMEs seeking to develop new products and services
- MSMEs seeking to internationalise their business
- MSMEs within the cultural and creative sector
Funding Information
- The INVESTMED project provides you with a maximum of €35,000 per BSO to carry out your incubation and acceleration programme for the entrepreneurial initiatives that you will help to select.
- The sub-grant will take the form of a reimbursement of costs.
Why Apply?
The support your BSO provides to these MSMEs and business ventures will help them to:
- Launch and develop business initiatives
- Grow market share and sign new commercial contracts
- Enter cross-border markets
- Launch new products and services
Eligibility Criteria
In order to receive funding from INVESTMED, you must:
- Be a legal entity, non-profit making
- Be legally established at least 2 years prior to the application and with a proven track record in providing business coaching/incubation/acceleration services
- Act as a sole applicant and be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action not acting as an intermediary.
- Be based in one of the following countries: Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia. Important note:
- In the case of Egypt, only applicants based in Marsa Matruh, Al-Iskandanyah, Al Buhayrah, Kafr ash Shaykh, Ad Daqahliyah, Dumyat, Ash Sharquiyah, Al Isma’iliyah and Bur Sa’id are eligible.
- In the case of Tunisia, only applicants based in Medenine, Gabes, Sfax, Mahdia, Monastir, Sousse, Nabeul, Ben Arous, Tunis, Ariana, Bizerte, Beja, Jandouba are eligible.
- Include a co-financing of 10% of the cost of the action in your budget proposal.
For more information, visit https://enicbcmed.eu/investmed-opens-calls-sub-grant-applications-business-support-organisations
