Call for a French Hosting Organization- EuroMed Clusters Forward - CCM2

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 the cluster to strengthen its skills to raise funding for both the cluster organization and for its members regarding their innovation efforts. Part of the support should address the question which cluster services can be defined for which members are willing to pay a fee. Support will be given to the Cluster manager and 2 staff members from the Moroccan Cluster in the Fisheries Sector sector for 4 months virtually and in France.

Cluster background information:

The Cluster was established in 2010. With some 110 members, the cluster has a wide range of stakeholders, including industrial companies, research institutions, and fishing operators, including 80 fisheries and seafood processing companies. The Cluster is aims at creating added value for companies in the fisheries sector by contributing to the development of their business through RDI, training, promotion and communication activities.

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

• Strengthen its fundraising strategy and securing long-term funding sources for the organization itself.
• Define services for the cluster members for which the members are willing to pay.
• Support members to successfully access new funding channels for their innovation efforts.

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: Strengthen fundraising strategy

• Benchmark funding strategies of similar clusters. 
• 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: Define services for members

• Benchmark other clusters about (extra) services paid by their members. 
• Propose services that can be introduced in the context of the Cluster.
• Develop an implementation plan to introduce such services. Provide step-by-step guidelines, timelines, and resource requirements for integration into current operations.

Component 3: Funding for cluster members

• Provide an overview of funding opportunities for innovation projects in the fisheries sector.
• Develop training materials how the Cluster can support their members to access these fundings.

Component 4: Travel mission:

• Organize and implement the travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to the host country 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 funding strategy for the own organization
• Implementation plan: concerning the new services to be introduced in the cluster
• Implementation plan: concerning the funding strategy for the cluster members.
• Visit reports: 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 15^th  , 2025 at the latest.

• Cluster or Host organization based in France.
• Experience in defining funding strategies for cluster organizations.
• Experience in supporting cluster members with their funding strategies.
• Familiarity with public and private funding sources.
• Track record in providing paid services to companies and organizations.
• Experience in international business development.
• Experience in designing and implementing capacity building programs.
• Knowledge of challenges and trend in the fisheries industry.