Public document to be completed by the Contracting Authority and published on the Internet
ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME FOR GRANTS
Of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, Lebanon
1. Basic act and Financing source
Programme: Integrated SME Support Programme
Financing source: MEDA Budget line 19.080201, Financing Agreement MED/2003/5636
2. Objectives of the programme, priorities for the 2005 and expected results
Objectives: To establish a network of up to four Business Development Centres (BDCs) which will provide a range of sustainable SME support services. These Centres will target both existing and start-up entrepreneurs utilising business incubation principles and Business Development Services.
Eligible actions and expected results: Those actions which will create and deliver business development incubation services for SMEs; provide training services for SMEs and create a seed fund for SMEs. BDCs are expected to aspire to have a positive impact in their geographical area by maximising the success of emerging companies (innovation, potential for growth etc), expansion and internationalization of existing businesses and to provide a dynamic model of a sustainable, efficient business operation.
3. Eligibility conditions
There is expected to be one call for proposals during 2005. In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must:
(a) Be a separate entity under Lebanese legislation;
(b) Form or plan to form consortia to apply. (It is expected that the consortium would represent a section of community interests from both the public and private sector);
(c) Provide/ or plan to provide BDC support to SMEs[1] as defined by the EU;
(d) Have or plan to have an BDC within one of the targeted cities of Beirut, Sidon, Tripoli, and Zahle;
(e) Have or be willing to provide an existing building free of charge for exclusive use as a Business Development Centre;
(f) The organisation must be a ‘not for profit organisation’. Grants will be restricted to the amount required to balance income and expenditure for the action;
(g) Be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action, not acting as an intermediary;
(h) Be experienced and have capacity to manage projects corresponding with the size of the action for which a grant is requested;
(i) Have an independent verifiable business plan.
(j) Be national or international organisations –both are eligible as long as all project activities are implemented in the programme region and they are registered in one of the eligible countries/states.
4. Selection and award criteria
The evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the procedures set out in the Practical Guide to contract procedures financed by the general budget of the European Communities in the context of external actions, including the standardised evaluation grid annexed thereto.
5. Maximum rate of Community financing
A grant will be available up to 100% of the total eligible costs of the action. Any balance must be financed from the applicant's or partners’ own resources or from sources other than the European Community budget.
6. Schedule of calls for proposals
Call for Proposals Notice: 15 July 2005
Call For Proposals : 1 August 2005
Duration of Call : 90 days
7. Indicative amount of calls for proposals
€2,800,000