Call For Technical Support for Advancing Economic Clusters in Lebanon- EuroMed Clusters Forward

Overview

CONTEXT & BACKGROUND

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and the 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.

In order to effectively support sustainable economic development in Lebanon, advancing economic clusters activities through a coherent policy is key. The absence of official public clustering efforts in Lebanon, combined with the challenging economic and political landscape, highlights the necessity of key policy pillars such as a robust legal framework, effective organizational structures, technical support, and financial sustainability. These pillars are crucial for fostering a supportive environment that encourages private sector initiatives, promotes collaboration, and attracts investment. A strong legal framework provides stability and confidence for businesses; effective organizational development ensures clusters can navigate complex conditions; access to technical support drives innovation and competitiveness; and financial incentives ensure the resources needed for growth. The latter cannot be achieved without creating the sufficient awareness on the importance of clusters and its impact necessary among key stakeholders.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Euromed Clusters Forward project, funded by the European Union, is a program led by ANIMA Investment Network. The project aims to strengthen clusters and their members across seven Southern Mediterranean countries, including Lebanon. It focuses on promoting inclusive innovation and competitiveness to foster growth, economic diversification, sustainable development, and employment in the region. The project’s activities include strategic studies, national policy dialogues, technical assistance on cluster policies, and capacity-building academies.

The national policy roadmap for clusters developed by Beyond Group outlines the strategic framework for promoting economic clusters in Lebanon, drawing on successful examples and best practices from global contexts that are relevant to local challenges. The policy roadmap emphasizes the importance of developing clusters in key sectors, while enabling key stakeholders with the necessary skillsets, sector-specific knowhow, and technical support. By concentrating efforts in these areas, Lebanon can attract investment, foster innovation, and drive economic growth.

SCOPE OF WORK : SECTORAL ANALYSIS FOR ECONOMIC CLUSTERS

To effectively accelerate clustering efforts in Lebanon, it is crucial to identify the economic sectors of greatest priority and carry out the necessary assessments accordingly. This will involve conducting comprehensive impact, gap, needs, and opportunity assessments for clusters activities across different sectors. The selected consultant will be responsible for conducting these detailed assessments and providing actionable insights to guide the development of clusters initiatives.

The consultant’s main role is to evaluate the current economic landscape, identify priority sectors for clusters, and provide detailed assessments that will inform policy development and strategic planning. The selected consultant is expected to identify urgent areas of focus and relying on research, success stories, and stakeholder engagement. This will be realized by conducting sector-specific needs assessments and gap analyses, identifying unique challenges and opportunities for cluster development in key sectors, and developing best practice guides and toolkits for cluster and business development in key sectors.

Key Responsibilities

Sector Identification and Prioritization

• Identify and prioritize economic sectors with the greatest potential for clusters activities based on current economic trends, opportunities, and challenges.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations and data analysis with relevant public authorities and experts to determine the sectors that offer the most significant potential for growth and development through clusters.

Impact, Gap, Needs, and Opportunity Assessments

• Conduct comprehensive impact assessments to evaluate the potential economic benefits of clusters in identified priority sectors.
• Perform gap analyses to identify existing deficiencies and barriers to successful cluster development in the identified sectors of high priority.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including cluster managers, industry leaders, and policymakers, to gather insights and feedback.
• Facilitate consultations and discussions to ensure alignment with sector-specific needs and best practices.
• Assess the specific needs of each priority sector to support effective clusters initiatives.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for cluster development, including potential areas for investment, innovation, and collaboration.

Best Practice Development

• Identify and document success stories and best practices from other regions or sectors.
• Develop best practice guides and toolkits for cluster and business development in key sectors.

Deliverables

Sector Identification Report:

• A review of local economic strategies and successful stories in key sectors.
• Detailed report on identified priority sectors for clusters activities.
• Analysis of the potential for growth and development through clusters in each sector.

Assessment Reports:

• Comprehensive impact assessment reports for each priority sector.
• Gap analysis reports identifying existing deficiencies and barriers.
• Needs assessment reports outlining specific requirements for cluster development.
• Summaries of stakeholder consultations and feedback.
• Opportunity assessment reports highlighting potential areas for investment, innovation, and collaboration.

Best Practice Guides and Toolkits: (Might be too demanding for the budget)

• Development of best practice guides and toolkits for cluster and business development in key sectors.
• Documentation of success stories and practical guidance for cluster managers and members.

Qualifications

Educational Background:

1. Bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, business administration, public policy, or a related field.
2. Strong background in analyzing economic trends, opportunities, and challenges, with a focus on identifying growth areas.

Professional Experience:

1. Minimum of 7 years of experience in economic development, cluster development, research or related fields.
2. Proven track record of conducting needs assessments, impact assessment, gap analyses, and developing best practice guides
3. Experience in preparing high-quality reports, presentations, and recommendations for government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations.

Skills and Competencies:

1. Strong analytical and research skills.
2. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
3. Familiarity with the economic and sectoral landscape in Lebanon.
4. Ability to identify qualitative and quantitative indicators in challenging economic landscapes.
5. Ability to facilitate consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders, including public authorities, industry leaders, cluster managers, and policymakers.

How to apply

The selected consultant is expected to start their activities as soon as possible after selection, with the contract duration set for 6 months.

To apply, please submit your proposal by email to: procurement@berytech.org before March 30, 2025 BoD with the subject: ECF – Sectoral Analysis for Economic Clusters in Lebanon.

The Application should include:

• Technical proposal describing the methodology, content and timeline required and A clear overview of outputs, and deliverables.
• Financial proposal describing the costs incurred in preparing and providing the services. The financial proposal shall be quoted in EURO. In addition, please mention valid bank account details.
• Profile and Project References: Explanation of the consultant’s background, including CVs and project references.

The shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Mid-April 2025.

Budget Up to 10,000 EUR.

Berytech is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, valuing diversity and ethical conduct as keys to our collective success.