Call for a French Hosting Organization- EuroMed Clusters Forward - CCM6

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 EU clusters/ support organizations to support in improving the skills and network of the Cluster to raise more external funding (among others in the EU) aimed at supporting the innovation efforts of its members and support the further development of its startups. Support will be given to a Cluster manager and 2 staff members from the Moroccan Cluster in the green hydrogen sector for 4 months virtually and in France

Cluster background information:

The Cluster was established only in 2021. Formally, the cluster is an association with 5 specialized, active committees. The Cluster has about 100 active members across various industries, all of whom pay a membership fee.  The most important support items are: innovation and knowledge management; skill development & training; access to finance and funding mechanisms. The latter item is seen as the biggest hurdle to further develop the Cluster.

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

• Strengthen its funding strategies for RDI projects.
• Improve Cluster’s support activities for startups.
• Provide a blueprint for a technical training for members addressing various aspects of the green hydrogen value chain.

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

The Mission is divided into 4 main components:

Component 1: RDI funding strategies

• Conduct benchmark comparing RDI funding strategies of similar clusters. 
• Provide an overview of potential funding sources.
• Propose recommendations for new funding strategies.
• Develop an implementation plan for the proposed funding strategy. Provide step-by-step guidelines, timelines, and resource requirements for integration into current operations.

Component 2: Startup support

• Conduct benchmark comparing startup support programs of clusters. 
• Propose support activities for the Cluster.
• Develop an implementation plan for the proposed funding strategy. Provide step-by-step guidelines, timelines, and resource requirements for integration into current operations.

Component 3: Training blueprint

• Make an inventory of items to be included in the technical training.
• Design a blueprint for a technical training addressing various aspects of the green hydrogen value chain including the setup of the training, working methods, concrete topics to include in the training and sources where to tap into to update training content.

Component 4: Travel mission:

• Organize and implement the travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to France 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, benchmarking studies and visits for 4 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.
• Implementation plan: concerning the RDI funding strategy.
• Implementation plan: concerning startup support offered by the Cluster.
• Training blueprint: concern technical training for members.
• Visit report: report on the visits organized and their outcomes.
• Activity report: for participating in an exhibition/fair.
• Final report: sessions given and final outcomes of the CCM submitted to Berytech.

• The CCM will be implemented from the beginning of February 2025 until the end of May 2025.
• The travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to the host country shall occur within the mission timeline.
• The final report should be delivered by June 15th  , 2025 at the latest

• Cluster in the green hydrogen sector.
• Experience in designing and implementing capacity building programs in the green hydrogen industry.
• Experience in supporting startups.
• Familiarity with public and private funding sources.
• Knowledge of trends in green hydrogen, such as including water desalination, electrolyzers, chemical aspects as well a new insights regarding transportation and storage.