Cluster Development Executive Program – Cluster Elevate 4.0 (Closing Regional Academy) - ECF

About Berytech:

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

About Euromed Clusters Forward:

Euromed Clusters Forward is a 4-year project that aims at establishing and improving clusters legal policies, strengthening clusters capacity & regional cooperation, and strengthening regional value chains. Berytech is the implementing partner of Euromed Clusters Forward in Lebanon, that is funded by the European Union and coordinated by Anima Investment Network with 3 implementing partners and 9 affiliates from the Euromed region.

About the Academy:

Over the project’s lifetime, Berytech and its partners have supported clusters across the South Mediterranean region to improve governance, services to SMEs, and access to markets. A subset of these clusters has now reached a level of maturity that allows them to support others, not only within their own countries but also regionally.

The Cluster Development Executive Program academy is the flagship closing activity of the EU-funded Euromed Clusters Forward (2022–2026) program. It brings together 8 to 10 advanced cluster organisations from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria that have demonstrated strong operational capacity, financial sustainability, and engagement with SMEs.

Through hybrid process (online + in-person in Greece), participating clusters will:

• Assess their current performance using a shared framework,
• Define their future strategic priorities,
• Prepare to act as regional reference points for cluster development.

The Academy results in the creation of a South Mediterranean Cluster Practitioners Network, formally launched during the project’s final regional event, ensuring that cooperation, peer support, and joint action continue beyond the end of EU funding.

The training will be delivered ONLINE in April and May (dates to be defined), in person in Greece on April 22, 23, and 24 2026, and conducted in English.

Coverage: Berytech covers the expertise of the expert(s), in addition to flight(s) and perdiem.

The assignment will be implemented in 3 phases:

Phase I – Online Academy & Diagnosis (March & April 2026)

The online phase focuses on educating participating clusters on a shared cluster performance framework and conducting structured diagnosis sessions to assess their current level of maturity.

The expert(s) will:

• Hold an alignment meeting with Berytech to confirm the scope, objectives, tools, and timeline of the online Academy
• Design and deliver interactive online sessions aimed at:
  • Introducing the cluster framework to be used for performance assessment
  • Explaining key dimensions of cluster performance and maturity
• Conduct diagnosis sessions between the expert(s) and each cluster (individual or small-group), with the objective of measuring cluster performance using the agreed framework, and collecting qualitative and quantitative inputs needed for assessment

Outputs:

• Performance profile for each cluster
• Clear baseline describing where each cluster stands at the start of the Academy

Phase II – In-Person Academy in Greece (22–24 April 2026)

The expert(s) will:

• Design and facilitate an interactive in-person Academy (up to 10 hours in person) composed of group activities, developing canvases, workshops and case studies
• Facilitate cluster presentations on performance, gaps, and priorities
• Moderate peer-learning discussions and strategy workshops
• Support clusters in defining future services, cooperation ideas, and mentoring roles
• Facilitate structured cluster-to-cluster meetings
• Participate in side activities organized by Berytech and its partners – May be invited to participate in panels and side discussions

Outputs:

• Updated evidence-based cluster strategies
• Defined cooperation and mentoring ideas between clusters
• Draft structure and purpose of the South Med Cluster Practitioners Network

Phase III – Post-Academy Online Support (May 2026)

The expert(s) will:

• Provide 1-on-1 coaching sessions for clusters or several interactive group coaching sessions
• Support the design of national or regional workshops led by participating clusters
• Facilitate peer-to-peer review of new cluster services
• Contribute to the consolidation of Academy outcomes

Outputs:

• Cluster strategies for 2027 (activities, services, collaborations)
• Documented actions toward operating the regional network

The expert(s) are expected to deliver:

• • Detailed Academy agenda and methodology (online and in-person)
  • Training and facilitation materials (presentations, tools, templates)
  • Cluster performance assessment tools and outputs
  • Post-Academy Final Report, including:

• • Summary of activities and participation
  • Key findings and regional insights
  • Description of the proposed South Med Cluster Practitioners Network
  • Strategic recommendations for post-project continuity
• All deliverables must be submitted in English

Following the selection of the consulting agency/ expert(s), Berytech team will closely coordinate with them to align on the roles and responsibilities.

• March 2026: Agenda development and coordination
• Early April 2026: Online Academy & diagnosis sessions
• 22–24 April 2026: In-person Academy in Greece
• Early to Mid-May 2026: Post-Academy coaching
• End of May 2026: Submission of Final Report

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in cluster development, innovation ecosystems, and ecosystem building
• Proven experience designing and facilitating strategic capacity-building programs
• Strong expertise in cluster performance frameworks, governance, and service design
• Familiarity with the South Mediterranean context is a strong asset
• Fluency in English required; French or Arabic is a plus
• Familiarity with the South-Med private sector and a demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural environments