RFP2023-004- Enhancing the visibility and Exposure for small and Medium Business in the Agri-food Sector- Basatine

Berytech Background  

Berytech, incorporated in 2002 in Lebanon (www.berytech.org) is an ecosystem for entrepreneurs, providing a dynamic environment for the creation and development of startups and SMEs, fostering innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in Lebanon. The support falls under capacity building/networking, policy reform, startup and SME development, startup and SME incubation, startup acceleration and incubation, student entrepreneurship development, technology transfer support, and women and youth empowerment.

Program Background

With the support and funding from L’Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Bolstering Agriculture Systems’ Ability to Invest, Nourish, and Employ (BASATINE) is a four-year program that aims to support farmers and other value chain and associated sector actors in areas of Beqaa and Akkar focused on the production of Cereals, legumes, and vegetables, seeking a territorial approach, and promoting linkages with other value chains. Through complementary interventions designed in alignment with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, the program will immediately address food insecurity and provide needed income and technical support to farmers to survive this tumultuous time, as well improve the capacity of food systems to maintain employment and growth in the longer term via stronger domestic production and system linkages. This will ultimately contribute to greater economic stability – particularly for women, improved rural development, and more positive social cohesion between host/refugee communities at a local level. The program is implemented by a consortium that includes 6 organizations, 1) CARE International, 2) Mercy Corps, 3) George Nehme Frem Foundation (GNFF), 4) Lebanese Organization for Studies and Trainings (LOST), 5) Berytech Foundation and 6) Al Majmouaa. The consortium is facilitating linkages between market actors in the agriculture sector and related sectors, supporting 156 SMEs to increase trade and create and maintain around 2,500 jobs (including for women and youth) particularly in post-harvesting and in agri-food processing.

For this purpose, Berytech, through the BASATINE Program, will hire service provider who will be able to enhance the visibility and Exposure to SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) operating in the agri-food sector through enhancing their capacity in developing successful communication strategy on social media and the implementation of exhibitions to enhance the SMEs networking opportunity with other actors and relevant stakeholders in the sector. 

The organizational objective of engaging the SMEs in the agri-food industry in capacity building workshops emphasizing communication strategies is to furnish them with comprehensive training and resources and enhancing their digital marketing skills for effective social media communication strategies. Also, the main goal of orchestrating the agri-food exhibitions within the BASATINE Program is intricately layered, strategically centered on cultivating growth, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainability within the agri-food sector. The fundamental purpose of these exhibitions is to establish a vibrant and collaborative platform, designed for transactional engagements.

Objective:

This activity aims to enhance the capabilities of 156 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the agri-food sector. This includes imparting expertise in social media communication strategy and active engagement in Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) exhibitions, aligned with broader industry goals of fostering growth, collaboration, and sustainability.

The key purposes are as follows:

1. Support targeted SMEs, leverage their knowledge and understanding on how essential social media platforms are to tap into new markets, reach diverse demographics, and expand the customer base.
2. Targeted SMEs become able to develop tailored content and advertising strategies to target specific audiences interested in their products as well as identifying market trends, consumer preferences, and behaviours, allowing for more effective targeting and customer acquisition.
3. Facilitating market access and growth and enhancing the visibility of the participating SMEs by engaging them with potential business partners, buyers, and distributors and fostering their brand recognition.
4. Showcase the products of participating SMEs and encourage knowledge exchange and collaboration within the agri-food sector.
5. Reinforce the significance of locally produced agri-food products
6. Facilitate networking opportunities between agri-food SMEs and key stakeholders, fostering collaborations that extend beyond the exhibitions.
7. Create a conducive environment for the development of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and business alliances.

Scope of Work:

1. Design a tailored “communication strategy and marketing on Social Media” training curriculum customized to the specific needs of businesses operating in the agri-food sector. The curriculum must cover the following key areas:

1. Introduction to social media: Understanding the major social media platforms, their strengths, and best practices for each. 
2. Content Creation: Techniques for creating engaging and relevant content for social media. 
3. Audience Engagement: Strategies for building and engaging with target audiences. 
4. Content Strategy Development: How to develop a tailored content strategy for agrifood businesses. 
5. Monitoring and Analytics: Introduction to tools for monitoring social media performance and measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts. 
6. Case Studies and Practical Exercises: Real-world examples and hands-on exercises to reinforce learning. 
7. Deliver interactive training workshops covering content creation, engagement strategies, and platform-specific best practices for 156 SMEs, 52 SMEs per batch.
8. Conduct Q&A sessions to address SMEs' concerns in implementing effective communication strategies.
9. Develop a comprehensive event plan for B2B and B2C exhibitions, encompassing timelines, risk assessments, and contingency plans for seamless execution.
10. In coordination with Berytech and MC teams, identify and invite 40 SMEs for a B2B and 30 SMEs out of the 156 targeted SMEs for a B2C exhibitions, facilitate their registration, communication, and coordination.
11. Secure suitable venues, coordinate logistics, develop and execute a marketing strategy to maximize visibility.
12. Oversee on-site logistics, ensuring smooth operation, and provide dedicated support to exhibitors.

Roles and responsibilities

The selected service provider will report to Berytech Foundation. Under the program’s third specific objective (SO3), Berytech is responsible to implement the activities related to (Result 3 - Linkages between agriculture sector and related sectors are facilitated). The selected service provider will work closely with Berytech’s program manager, Berytech SME department Director and Mercy Corps program manager.

Berytech’s responsibilities:

1. Brief/guide the service provider’s team.
2. Review tools, methodology, reports, and deliverables.
3. Facilitate communication and meetings with the targeted businesses.
4. Review/approve all draft and final deliverables in a timely manner.

Service Provider’s responsibilities:

1. Conduct the workshops in an engaging and informative manner, ensuring active participation and knowledge transfer to the SMEs with predefined learning outcomes. 
2. Design a summative assessment that the SMEs would take to consolidate their learning. 
3. Provide guidance to SMEs on optimizing booth setups, promotional materials, and engagement strategies during the exhibitions.
4. Conduct pre-exhibition meetings to prepare SMEs for effective participation and networking.
5. Ensure seamless coordination with partner teams and SMEs, efficiently managing allocated resources as per the approved budget.
6. Provide final report detailing the implementation of the communication strategy training program summarizing the outcomes of the training and the impact on the SMEs’ communication strategies.
7. Provide final report detailing the implementation of and SMEs' participation in the exhibitions and their engagement.
8. The service provider is responsible to manage the entire process, from acquiring to delivering, setting up, and taking down display booths for both B2B and B2C exhibitions, ensuring punctual transportation to specified venues and expert assembly and disassembly. This will cover event participation expenses and must not levy any fees on MSMEs.

Deliverables are subject to each implementation phase.

Timeframe

The service provider is expected to start on February 1, 2024, and to complete the service by December 31,2024.  

Expected Deliverables, Qualifications & Success factors

Please refer to the attached RFQ for the expected deliverables, qualifications and success factors