The Food System Challenge supports businesses to solve core challenges of the food system in Lebanon, and more specifically in the sectors of dairy and meat production (cow, goat, sheep), cereals and pulses (and its by-products), protected horticulture (Classical green houses, hydroponics, and aquaponics), and domesticated edible herbs and plants.
Applications are now open.
The Food System Challenge aims to support Lebanese SMEs and cooperatives working across the agriculture and agrifood sectors to address core food system challenges with maximum impact.
The Food System Challenge is implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Berytech through support from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The Food System Challenge is looking for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with solutions for the core challenges affecting the Lebanese food system. To ensure optimal impact, business-to-business solutions are strongly encouraged.
Your business or cooperative will benefit from a tailored package of business development services, technical assistance, and financial support to achieve long term growth.
Your business will undergo a transformational journey of 6 months or more, with clear milestones and objectives set from the start.
For this round of applications, up to 12 SMEs and Cooperatives will be selected to benefit from a tailored package of support.
6 medium-to-mature organizations will be granted up to $35k, requiring a matching contribution of the same amount from their side.
6 emerging organizations could be granted up to $35k, while benefiting from a reimbursable grant of the same amount to cover their matching contribution.
Legally registered and established enterprises in Lebanon, specializing in fields like food production and transformation, farming, collection and storage, with:
Winning proposals will be selected based on an assessment of the following criteria:
Additional points will be given to:
Covers:
Doesn’t Cover:
*Winning applicants are required to meet a minimum 100% matching requirement, covering at least 50% of the support package cost with their own funds. This must be verified through financial documents or other proof of payment before the grant is disbursed.
A well-functioning local food system in Lebanon with efficient and resilient producers, cooperatives and SMEs that can serve local food and nutrition needs.
A food system that can ensure economic inclusion of small-scale actors such as small-holder farmers into core processes.
A food system that offers employment opportunities and increases income especially for vulnerable populations such as at-risk women, people with disabilities, youth, and elderly people.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (German: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung), abbreviated BMZ, is a cabinet-level ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany. Founded in 1961, the Ministry works to encourage economic development within Germany and other countries through international cooperation and partnerships.
UN World Food Programme: The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and the world’s largest humanitarian organization. WFP is saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Applications are now closed.
The total value and composition of the transformational journey package is determined as based on the solutions you propose to address the below challenges.
Yes, however you need to prove how your solution will have a positive impact on the food system in Lebanon and how the program will help you scale your business and not only maintain your operations.
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco Productions, NGOs, NPOs and non-Lebanese companies or cooperatives are not part of the Food System Challenge beneficiaries, unless they have a commercial register in Lebanon that allows them to sell products.
Ideally yes, however they can prove that they have 10 employees that are officially employed on a full-time basis.
Yes, taking into consideration that the Food System Challenge provides technical, financial and business support to help your solution have a positive impact on food production and the local food consumption in addition to creating jobs.
If you have any questions or need information email us on nivine.chaaban@berytech.org.
Berytech is the ecosystem for entrepreneurs, providing a dynamic environment for the creation and development of startups and SMEs, fostering innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Lebanon.
Berytech Mathaf
Damascus Street, Museum District
Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
+961 (1) 61 25 00
Berytech Mar Roukoz
Saint Joseph University
Sciences & Technology Campus
Dekwaneh, Mount Lebanon
+961 (4) 53 30 40
Berytech BDD 1294
Bechara El Khoury Street
Beirut Digital District
Bachoura, Beirut, Lebanon
+961 (1) 64 95 55
P.O. Box
11-7503 Riad el Solh, 1107 2240 Beirut, Lebanon