Call for Expression of Interest : Provision of technical support to 40 existing companies in North Lebanon to become future-fit and resilient

1.  Background

In the framework of the Lebanese German cooperation between the government of Lebanon and the government of Germany, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in close collaboration with the Lebanese partner ministry “Ministry of Social Affairs” (MoSA) is implementing the “Local Development Programme for Deprived Urban Areas in North Lebanon” (UDP_NL). The programme is commissioned by the Federal Republic of Germany and co-financed by the European Union.

The North Lebanon Local Development Programme for Deprived Urban Areas (UDP_NL) proposes as an overall objective to contribute to political stability in North Lebanon through addressing critical issues to stability and conflict prevention in that region: more inclusive economic development and social stability. The main target groups are vulnerable youth and women.

This request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) is launched to support the Modul 1 of UDP_NL which aims to contribute to more inclusive economic development. The Module is tackling poverty and unemployment by promoting income generation capacities particularly of youth and women, by supporting the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME), strengthening business development services, strengthening of selected value chains and skills development.

Support to companies in times of disruptive events and threads like the political and economic crisis in Lebanon, the depreciation of the currency and the Covid-19 pandemic requires new perspectives. Currently, companies in Lebanon are looking to stabilise and save their business. Many of them are re-inventing themselves, switching to products and services which are still in demand, replacing expensive imported components and raw material and starting to sell and deliver online.

1. Objective

This request for Expression of Interest (EoI) aims at identifying service providers who are experienced in supporting companies to become more resilient and future fit, and who are interested in being included in a shortlist of pre-identified implementing partners. The shortlisted companies will be asked in the next step to prepare detailed technical and financial proposals.

Support for companies to become future-fit and resilient

GIZ UDP_NL (2018-2021) aims at supporting 40 existing companies in North Lebanon (T5) which have the potential to become more resilient against external shocks, to develop a future-fit business model and get back on back on a growth path. The support should also include ideas of corporate social responsibility and climate-friendly practices. Overall, this should lead to the companies’ recovery from the current crisis. The support offered may be a mix of online and in-person formats (if possible).

The support offered should enable and capacitate companies to do the following:

• Understand the leverage points and the threats of their current business models and the opportunities of the market to increase or sustain their revenue
• Change their company into an organisation that is resilient and prepared for change or external shocks, incl. a more future-fit business model
• Develop new service or product offerings that seize the opportunities or avoids the risks of the current situation
• Improve the quality of their current products or services
• Target new customers and markets to get back to a growth path
• Find new partners to create resilient value chains and supplier/seller relations

UDP_NL will provide support to companies in the following six sectors: Agro-food, construction, creative industries, health, ICT and (eco)tourism.

1. Qualifications and Requirements

GIZ expects the service provider to have tested formats, have a pool of experienced trainers/coaches/consultants and the necessary premises to implement the activities. The service provider needs to implement the outreach to the target group and do the monitoring of the project.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The service provider must have experience in transforming companies, systemic approaches and topics like corporate social responsibility and green economy
• The service provider must have experience in supporting existing companies in at least two of the following sectors: Agro-food, construction, creative industries, health, ICT or (eco)tourism, entrepreneurship.
• The service provider should have a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities of companies in the governorate of North Lebanon (T5) and a good network among companies in the North.
• The service provider should have experience in having service contracts with international donors as well as the financial and team capacity to implement such projects.
• The service provider must be registered under the Lebanese rules and regulations as a private sector company.