Call for Italian hosting organization/cluster to support and host a Tunisian 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):

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 Mission 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 Italy – the Host.

We are seeking a well-established Italian cluster/ support organization – the Host to design and deliver consultancy services to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for the cluster thus strengthening its positioning on the market, support services to redefine the production process and process optimization and engage the Tunisian cluster in networking opportunities.

Support will be given to Cluster manager and 2 staff members from the Tunisian Cluster in the gourmet olive oil production sector for 3 months virtually and in Italy.

Cluster background information:

This cluster (Visitor) was established in 2016 and consists of 27 SMEs. The mission of the cluster is to increase international access of the Tunisian olive oil, strengthen the export position of the cluster and boost the competitiveness of the cluster member companies by improving the quality of packaged products.

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

• Uplift the production process and optimize the production cycle of the gourmet olive oil from farm to fork.
• Explore and sign new partnership deals with new customers in Italy.
• Develop a marketing strategy to enter new markets in Italy.

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

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

Component 1 - Marketing strategy:

• Conduct a market research study for the gourmet olive oil product to understand current trends, consumer preferences, and competitors within the gourmet food and olive oil industries.
• Develop a marketing strategy to enter new markets in Italy by identifying key market segments and positioning the cluster as a premium cluster offering a gourmet olive oil.
• Connect the Visitor with the Host’s cluster members and secure new partnerships deals with gourmet food retailers, specialty stores, and online marketplaces to expand distribution channels.

Component 2 - GOURMET Olive oil production process and optimization:

• Design and conduct capacity building trainings on:

• Industrialization of the gourmet olive oil production process to optimize all the aspects of the supply chain and operations from cultivation and harvesting to processing and packaging.  
• Exploration of new innovative and green production techniques.
• Quality control, and sensory evaluation to ensure participants can assess and maintain the highest standards of gourmet olive oil quality.

• Benchmark with the Italian value chain for the gourmet olive oil (from farmer to final consumer).
• Offer opportunities for networking, peer learning, and collaboration among participants to foster a supportive and collaborative learning environment and organize field visits to farms, plants, and laboratories.

Component 3 - Exhibition and/or fairs:

• Secure the participation of the Visitor in agri-food exhibitions and/or fairs in Italy.

NB: if the event occurs within the timeline of the CCM.

Component 4 – Travel mission:

• Organize and implement the travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to Italy 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 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.
• Gourmet Olive oil Training: report summarizing the objectives, content, outcomes and meetings facilitated.
• Visit reports: for the fields and/or plants.
• 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 April until the end of June 2024.
• The travel mission of up to 3 cluster staff/members to Italy shall occur within the mission timeline.
• The final report should be delivered by July 15^th, 2024, the latest.

• Italian Cluster in the agri-food sector, clusters with gourmet olive oil producers will be prioritized.
• Track record in fostering partnerships and initiating/implementing joint projects with other clusters/SMEs.
• Track record in playing leading roles in exhibitions and fairs.
• Experience in international business development, or trade promotion.
• Experience in designing and implementing capacity building programs (training and workshops) on production valorization and gourmet olive oil.
• Background in providing consultancy services, such as marketing strategy and market research.