Call fort a Spanish hosting organization/cluster to support and host a Morrocan cluster- ECF

About Berytech:

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Eco-system in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and company hosting, hence taking part in the economic revival of the country, participating in wealth and job creation, and retaining graduates and high-level skills in Lebanon.

About Euromed Clusters Forward:

ECF is a 4-year project that aims at establishing and improving clusters legal policies, strengthening clusters capacity & regional cooperation, and strengthening regional value chains. Berytech is the implementing partner of ECF in Lebanon, that is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Anima Investment Network with 3 implementing partners and 9 affiliates from the Euromed region

About Cluster Connect Mission (CCM):

Cluster Connect is a short-term exchange activity between clusters and support organizations from similar or different industrial ecosystems. It involves twinning, matchmaking and knowledge sharing activities, and peer learning between a South Mediterranean cluster – the Visitor and a host organization from South Mediterranean and European countries – the Host.

We are seeking well established Spanish clusters/ business support organizations in Spain to design and deliver capacity building and consultancy services to create a marketing strategy for the cluster to enter the Spanish market, conduct market intelligence study to learn about the Spanish clients’ needs, engage the Moroccan cluster in partnership opportunities and reinforce its capacity for a smooth green transition.

Support will be given to the Cluster manager and 1 staff member from the Moroccan Cluster in the textile sector for 3 months virtually and in Spain.

Cluster background information:

This cluster (Visitor) was established in 2016 and consists of 62 SMEs. The mission of the cluster is the sustainable development within the textile and fashion industry and the modernization of the entire industry. The cluster is looking to become the leading hub for designers and new innovative brands that are emerging in the Moroccan ecosystem. The Cluster manages an incubation program dedicated to the ecosystem of fashion innovation and supports innovative start-ups in this field.

The CCM will equip the cluster with the skills and capacity to:

• Develop a marketing strategy and enter new markets in Spain.
• Explore and sign new partnership deals and expand the cluster’s network in Spain.
• Develop a strategy on green transition to better support their members in becoming sustainable and empower green and circular innovations within the field of textile and fashion.

The Host will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive series of workshops, trainings consultancy services, site visits, facilitating the attendance to Spanish fairs/exhibitions.

Based on a needs assessment conducted with the Visitor, the TOR is divided into 4 main components:

Component 1 – Marketing strategy:

• Create a competitive marketing strategy to define the cluster's positioning on the market and attract new members.
• Conduct a market intelligence study to define the needs of Spanish customers (10-year projection) and to learn more about the business of tomorrow in the fields of denim and textiles.
• Connect the Visitor with the Host’s cluster members and secure new partnerships deals with new suppliers and clients.

Component 2 – Green Transition:

• Design and conduct capacity building trainings focusing on:
  • The green transition within the textile industry in the aim of assisting cluster members in becoming more sustainable themselves.
  • AI in the apparel industry: Companies in Morocco are interested in developing new technologies with academia and the industry in Europe.
  • Waste and new material research: Exploring new suppliers, production processes, technologies…
  • Learn circularity in textiles (processes, materials, machines, tools, products) to provide a space for innovation to SMEs in the fashion and denim sectors.
• Identify priority areas and opportunities for implementing green practices and technologies within the textile industry, such as sustainable sourcing, eco-friendly production processes, and circular economy initiatives.

Component 3 – Incubator empowerment:

• Assess the current services and practices offered by the incubator and identify areas for improvement and innovation, considering the following factors:
  • Integrating new technologies and circular approaches programs.
  • Environmental sustainability, energy usage, waste management, and resource efficiency.
• Introduce the cluster to best practices in developing a tailored support program for startups and small enterprises within the incubator, providing access to resources, training, mentorship, and technical assistance to facilitate their transition towards green practices.
• Identify opportunities for integrating green practices into the operations and activities of the incubator.

Component 4 – Travel mission:

• Organize and implement the travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to Spain for a maximum of 5 days.

• Support materials: templates, presentation, and resources for participants to use during and after the workshops.
• Agenda: for activities of each of the 4 components including virtual and in-person training, workshops, consultancy services, stakeholders’ meetings, and visits for 3 months.
• Attendance: attendance sheet of the visitor to different activities.
• Travel mission: booking and invoices of flight tickets, accommodation, and other costs of all travelling participants.
• Marketing strategy: developed during the CCM along with market intelligence study report.
• Partnerships meeting report: for the export and the access to European projects.
• Green transition report: describing the training conducted and the priorities and services identified.
• Incubator: report on the assessment conducted, the programs and services developed during the CCM, and opportunities identified.
• Final report: sessions given and final outcomes of the CCM submitted to Berytech.

• The CCM will be implemented from the beginning of April until the end of June 2024.
• The travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to Spain shall occur within the mission timeline.
• The final report should be delivered by July 15^th, 2024, at the latest.

• Business Support Organization with background in supporting the sustainable textile industry in Spain or Spanish Cluster in the textile and fashion industry.
• Background in providing consultancy services, such as marketing strategy and market research.
• Track record in supporting entrepreneurial activities, startups, and developing innovation ecosystems.
• Track record in fostering partnerships and initiating/implementing joint projects with other clusters/SMEs.
• Track record in supporting the green transition and sustainability of SMEs and startups and developing innovation ecosystems in the textile and fashion sector.
• Track record in fostering partnerships and initiating/implementing joint projects with clusters, SMEs, and suppliers.
• Experience in developing and implementing sustainability programs. Familiarity with environmental regulations and sustainable business practices.
• Experience in designing and implementing capacity building programs on green transition.