Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food

The Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program aims at strengthening the business and product viability of innovative startups tackling sustainable rural economic development operating in South Mount Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa. The program will provide the startups with the tools to transform their ideas into sustainable and profitable businesses. REAF’s youth training will enhance their entrepreneurship mentality and entry into the job market.

Man in Field

Applications for the third edition of the REAF Ideathon are now closed.

Applications for the REAF Ideathon are now open

About the REAF Program

REAF aims at strengthening the socio-economic resilience of individuals in South of Mount Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa through supporting the business model viability of innovative startups in the agrifood, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy sectors.

REAF will empower youth, women, and people with disabilities in rural areas with a set of skills that will enable them to thrive in their communities, impacting the overall situation in Lebanon

The program is funded by The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Berytech, within the framework of the project Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE).

Women Walking

REAF Program

The REAF program includes:

  • A field assessment study evaluating the current situation in South of Mount Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa.
  • Awareness campaign and the organizations of Ideathons focusing on youth in the targeted areas.
  • An incubation program of three batches for startups.
  • Youth training enhancing their soft skills, equipping them with necessary tools to develop their entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Financial grants for startups taking part in the incubation program.

Targets of The Program

750
youths

located in the South of Mount Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa areas

300
Women

out of the total 750 youths

110 people with disabilities

out of the total 750 youths

45 startups

to benefit from the 3-month pre-incubation phase and grants

24 Startups

to benefit from the 5-month follow-on incubation phase and grants

75+ Jobs

to be created directly or indirectly

Donor & Partner

The program is funded by The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Berytech within the framework of the project Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities, and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE).

REAF-logo strip NEW

community Stakeholders

Michel Daher Foundation and Rural Entrepreneurs will carry out, along with Berytech, the outreach activities, youth entrepreneurship enablement, ideathons and entrepreneurship support activities to strengthen and sustain the capacity of local communities.

Michel Daher Foundation MDF
RURAL ENTREPRENEURS
The Role of Berytech

As part of the REAF program, Berytech is implementing the following scope

Mobilizing experts to conduct field assessments and current situation analysis.

Launching awareness campaigns.

Making experts available before each incubation phase to support the building and launching of a Minimum Viable Product.

Providing capacity-building training to the selected community stakeholders.

Providing the needed ecosystem linkages.

Mobilizing Berytech’s experts to deliver trainings and clinics in entrepreneurship and soft skills for startups and youth.

Join the REAF Incubation Program

Get the required support to build, grow, and enhance your startup, allowing you to overcome the current economic crisis and thrive beyond

Applications for the third edition of the REAF Ideathon are now closed.

Meet the Berytech team

Need more info?

If you have any questions or need information email us