Call for a Spanish hosting organization/cluster to support and host an Egyptian 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 and business support organizations in Spain to design and deliver capacity building and consultancy services for accessing adequate funding channels , engage the Egyptian cluster in partnership opportunities and reinforce its capacity for a smooth green transition.

Support will be given to the Cluster facilitator and executive director and cluster consultant from the Egyptian Cluster in the renewable energy sector for 3 months virtually and in Spain.

Cluster background information:

This cluster (Visitor) was established in 2017 and consists of 30 SMEs. The Cluster is hosted and supported by the Federation of Egyptian Industries/Environmental Compliance office and Sustainable Development FEI/ECO SD aiming to support the Egyptian industrial development in the resource efficiency sector and enhance the partnership among Institutions, researchers and enterprises. The principal purpose of the cluster is to support job growth and new technology development in the strategic field of renewable energy.

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

• Access adequate funding channels for the cluster to sustain its operations, provide essential support for the cluster members , enabling them to compete effectively in the market.
• Design and implement a collaboration strategy for cluster members to  promote cooperation and synergies within the cluster.
• Develop a strategy on green transition to better support their members in becoming sustainable and empower green and circular innovations within the renewable energy field.

The Host will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive series of workshops, trainings and consultancy services. Based on a needs assessment conducted with the Visitor, the TOR is divided into 4 main components:

Component 1 – Green transition and sustainability:

• Benchmark on green regulations and formulate guidelines specific to renewable energy and resource efficiency fields. This involves studying existing environmental standards, identifying gaps, and recommending sustainable practices.
• Propose recommendation for new technologies, green raw materials, and circular processes that align with sustainability goals, improving efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.
• Facilitate training sessions and workshops to build the capacity of internal teams on circular processes, green laws, and the utilization of new technologies. Ensure that relevant stakeholders are equipped to implement and sustain the recommended practices.
• Develop a comprehensive implementation plan for the proposed circular processes, green laws, and technology adoption. Provide step-by-step guidelines, timelines, and resource requirements for seamless integration into current operations.

Component 2 – Access To Finance:

• Build a Sustainable Financial Model by conducting a thorough analysis of the cluster's financial structure and develop a sustainable financial model that aligns with the cluster's goals and objectives.
• Assess the cluster's current readiness for investment and develop an investment readiness model that showcases the cluster's potential, strengths, and attractiveness to potential investors.
• Identify and recommend suitable funding channels that align with the cluster's financial needs, considering options such as grants, loans, partnerships, and other financial instruments.
• Develop and conduct training sessions to enhance the financial management skills of cluster members, ensuring effective use of the financial model.

Component 3 – recommendation for collaboration and synergies for cluster members:

• Conduct a thorough analysis of the cluster, its members, and the industry it operates in to understand the existing dynamics, challenges, and opportunities.
• Suggest a plan to create synergies among the existing members and attract new members.
• Identify potential opportunities for collaboration that may include joint research and development projects, shared marketing initiatives, or collaborative supply chain efforts.

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.
• Sustainability Model: The guiding principles, key concepts, and the overall approach to sustainability adopted by the cluster.
• Green transition report: describing the training conducted and the priorities and services identified.
• Investment Pitch Development Report: Outlines the development of a compelling investment pitch, including key messages and supporting material.
• Recommendation for collaboration and synergy report: Report on the analysis conducted, and the potential identified synergies and collaborations.
• Final report: outcome of the 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.

• Spanish Cluster or business support organization with background in supporting the renewable energy industry in Spain.
• Background in providing consultancy services, such as access to finance and green transition.
• Track record in supporting the green transition and sustainability of SMEs.
• Experience in developing and implementing sustainability programs. Familiarity with environmental regulations and sustainable business practices.
• Experience working on collaborative projects and strategies for business clusters, economic development, and fostering synergies among diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and delivering training programs to build the capacity of cluster members in financial management and sustainable practices.
• Familiarity with energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies, as well as their financial implications and integration into projects.