ToR - Implementation Agreement to promote small income-generating opportunities for refugees and host communities

PROJECT BACKGROUND

With funding from the European Union, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is implementing ENABLE programme focusing on providing livelihoods opportunities to enhance the economic capacity of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities residing in targeted areas. The programme is providing integrated employment services and short‐term employment opportunities, which will reduce dependency on social assistance for the extremely poor and vulnerable, contributing towards social cohesion. ENABLE focuses on enhancing small income-generating opportunities for refugees and host communities. The current program activities related to the first batch of beneficiaries are implemented in Beirut (Bourj Hammoud), Mount Lebanon (Damour) and Akkar (Tall Maayan) while the activities for the second batch of beneficiaries will be implemented in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and South.

ASSIGNMNENT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Assignment Background

ILO is collaborating with different partners aiming to enhance access to decent self-employment opportunities for refugee and host communities. Under ENABLE, this is taking place through the provision of training programs targeting vulnerable potential entrepreneurs to generate, start and improve their businesses and improve their financial literacy. The trainings are implemented by a network of competent ILO certified individual trainers, who were capacitated to support vulnerable potential and existing entrepreneurs, using ILO Global tools, specifically “Start and Improve Your Business/SIYB” and “Financial Education” training packages.

 The SIYB programme is structured into several separate training packages, which are designed to respond to the progressive stages of business development including:

Generate Your Business Idea (GYB):  intended for people who would like to start a business, and who, through the training, develop a concrete business idea ready for implementation.

Start Your Business (SYB): for potential entrepreneurs who want to start a small business and already have a concrete business idea. The programme is a combination of training, field work and after-training support, and helps participants assess their readiness to start a business and to prepare a business plan and evaluate its viability.

Improve Your Business (IYB): introduces already practising entrepreneurs to good principles of business management. Its six modules (marketing, costing, buying and stock control, record keeping, planning for your business, and people and productivity) can be taught individually or all combined in a full course.

As for the financial education training, its main objective is to equip beneficiaries with theoretical and management skills in finance to help them make informed financial decisions, both in their households and potentially in their businesses. Since 2006, the ILO Global Programme on Financial Education has been implemented worldwide to assist disadvantaged and underserved populations in making informed financial choices and change their financial behaviour for a better future. It is a holistic programme addressing worldwide limited financial literacy levels, through national policy dialogue and capacity building at all levels. The training manual and booklet have been adapted to Lebanon’s context with funding from PROSPECTS Lebanon programme to meet the specific needs of refugees and host communities in Lebanon and were used under ENABLE. The adapted curriculum includes several modules based on the needs identified with the Lebanese and Syrian refugee communities including setting financial goals at household level, managing money wisely and learning about different saving techniques and products.

Under this intervention, there are two separate batches of beneficiaries:

1. Batch 1 consists of vulnerable individuals who have already participated in training sessions on developing a business idea, starting their business along with financial education. Under ENABLE, a total of 115 beneficiaries has already attended the "Generate Your Business" (GYB), "Start Your Business" (SYB), and Financial Education (FE) trainings in Tall Maayan (Akkar), Bourj Hammoud and Damour, and subsequently completed an assessment. This assessment revealed that out of the 115 beneficiaries, approximately 64 of these participants have viable business ideas, although they require additional support through business development training, coaching, and in-kind grants. Out of these 64 trainees, 56 beneficiaries have presented viable business ideas requiring further refinement. Among these, 43% have already started their businesses, while the remaining 57% have expressed interest in starting businesses. Regarding their economic resilience, 88% of these beneficiaries reported having an unstable income, with only 2% earning more than USD 1,000 per month per household. Additionally, 8 beneficiaries showcased highly viable business ideas that are ready for implementation. Within this subgroup, 25% currently own businesses, whereas 75% intend to start one. In terms of their economic resilience, 88% of these beneficiaries indicated a monthly household income below USD 600.

Under this intervention, these 64 beneficiaries will now participate in pitching workshops and receive further assistance to refine their business plans and pitch their idea in a business plan competition, with the goal of selecting the top 15 candidates with the most sustainable and promising business ideas to receive intensive business coaching and in-kind grants following a needs assessment for each beneficiary.

2. Batch 2 consists of established microentrepreneurs who have been running their businesses for over a year but have been adversely affected by the recent war crisis in Lebanon. This initiative targets microentrepreneurs in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the South as part of the recovery response. A total of 160 microentrepreneurs with sustainable business operations will be invited to participate in an "Improve Your Business" training program followed by the financial education programme and participate in the business plan competition. From this cohort, the top 35 microentrepreneurs demonstrating the most promising and resilient business performance will receive intensive business coaching and in-kind grants following a needs assessment for each beneficiary.

It is important to highlight that the implementation pathway for beneficiaries in Batch 1 has already commenced, with participants having completed the GYB, SYB and FE training. Consequently, the next steps for Batch 1 beneficiaries will continue immediately upon signature of the agreement, while simultaneously initiating the outreaching and selection processes for the participants of Batch 2.  Therefore, the pitching workshops and business plan competitions for these two batches will be scheduled at different times.

Assignment objective

The main objective of this assignment is to provide vulnerable refugees and host communities with immediate and direct support that is needed to start and develop income-generating activities and eventually achieve self-employment. In order to achieve this, ENABLE is seeking an implementing partner to support in outreaching for vulnerable microentrepreneurs for the second batch of beneficiaries, conducting two business plan competitions (one BPC for each batch of beneficiaries separately), conduct necessary assessments detailed below, conduct intensive business development coaching services and business management trainings and manage in-kind grant distribution for both batches coupled with monitoring and follow up support.

SCPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 

The specific objectives of this intervention is to select an implementing partner to provide the following for the two batches of beneficiaries:

            Batch 1 of beneficiaries:

1. Review the rapid assessments of the 115 beneficiaries who participated in the GYB, SYB, and Financial Education trainings in Bourj Hammoud, Damour, and Akkar (Tall Maayan) to gain a clear understanding of each beneficiary's situation, ensuring preparation when contacting them to inform them whether they have passed the first screening. The IP is expected to conduct a rapid mapping of current available interventions in the targeted areas to refer the beneficiaries who were not selected for the next phase of this intervention.
2. Conduct business plan consolidation and pitching workshops for the 64 beneficiaries who has shown viable business ideas in order to refine their business ideas, develop comprehensive business plans and prepare them for the business plan competition. Each workshop will span two days: the first day will be led by the SIYB Master Trainer, focusing on business plan development using the SIYB curriculum; the second day will be dedicated to pitch training, delivered by the IP’s business coaches to equip participants with the skills needed to effectively present their ideas.
3. Facilitate the submission of the beneficiaries of the business plans
4. Prepare a baseline document/questionnaire which includes relevant measures/criteria for initial and final selection of entrepreneurs. These could include criteria relevant to the applicant and his/her personal skills and those related to the business idea and its applicability and feasibility. This should be developed with the support of the MSME expert and ENABLE team and will be filled by the implementing partner.
5. The MSME expert will review the submitted business plans based on specified criteria and shortlist the entrepreneurs eligible to advance to the Business Plan Competition
6. Undertake a Business Plan Competition event for the interested entrepreneurs who attended the business plan consolidation and pitching workshops and submitted good business plans. Based on a jointly agreed selection criteria, the Business Plan Competition coupled with the results of the different assessments conducted by the MSME expert will lead to selecting 15 micro-entrepreneurs who will receive intensive business coaching and mentoring services and in-kind grants of an average of 2,500 USD/beneficiary.
7. Conduct a business assessment, robust risk assessment and due diligence assessment for the 15 microentrepreneurs by the MSME expert
8. Based on all the assessments’ findings, set up a clear coaching plan for these 15 micro-entrepreneurs with intensive business coaching and mentoring services depending on their need to help beneficiaries set up and operationalize their businesses.
9. Provide a detailed assessment of the financial needs of each microentrepreneur and the in-kind grants needed
10. Develop a detailed report that comprises the results of all the assessments conducted and the results.
11. Manage the procurement of the in-kind grants. This includes agreeing with Business Plan Competition winners on items to procure all the way through delivering the agreed items to the entrepreneurs using transparent procurement processes in line with ILO standards.
12. Conduct intensive business coaching and mentoring services and trainings provided by the IP’s selected business coaches for the 15 microentrepreneurs (at least 3 sessions)
13. Follow up on the grantees and provide regular monitoring with support and linkages to BDS mentoring and referrals to microfinance institutions for additional support.

Batch 2 of beneficiaries:

1.  Outreach for more than 160 vulnerable microentrepreneurs who have been running their small businesses for over a year in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and South.
2. Coordinate with ILO SIYB trainers to review the application forms and filter/select applicants in line with IYB selection criteria and ENABLE criteria.
3. Organize 8 Improve Your Business Training (IYB) with a minimum of 20 participants/training for 5 days in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and South in SDC premises when applicable. These trainings will be delivered by a pool of ILO trainers currently undergoing certification
4. Organize 8 Financial Education trainings with a minimum of 20 participants/training for 5 days for the same beneficiaries who attended the IYB training in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and South in SDC premises when applicable. These trainings will be delivered by a pool of ILO certified trainers.
5. Conduct business plan consolidation and pitching workshops for the beneficiaries to develop comprehensive business plans and prepare them for the business plan competition. Each workshop will span two days: the first day will be led by the SIYB Master Trainer, focusing on business plan development using the SIYB curriculum; the second day will be dedicated to pitch training, delivered by the IP’s business coaches to equip participants with the skills needed to effectively present their ideas.
6. Facilitate the submission of the beneficiaries of the comprehensive business plans
7. Prepare a baseline document/questionnaire which includes relevant measures/criteria for initial and final selection of microentrepreneurs who will receive grants. These could include criteria relevant to the applicant and his/her personal skills and those related to their ongoing business and its sustainability and will be filled by the implementing partner.
8. The MSME expert will review the submitted business plans based on specified criteria and shortlist the entrepreneurs eligible to advance to the Business Plan Competition
9. Undertake a Business Plan Competition event for the entrepreneurs who attended the business plan consolidation and pitching workshops and submitted the business plans. Based on a jointly agreed selection criteria, the Business Plan Competition coupled with the results of the different assessments conducted by the MSME expert will lead to selecting 35 microentrepreneurs who will receive intensive business coaching and mentoring services and in-kind grants of an average of 2,500 USD/beneficiary.
10. Conduct a business assessment, robust risk assessment and due diligence assessment for the 35 microentrepreneurs by the MSME expert
11. Based on all the assessments’ findings, set up a clear coaching plan for these 35 micro-entrepreneurs with intensive business coaching and mentoring services depending on their need to help beneficiaries set up and operationalize their businesses.
12. Provide a detailed assessment of the financial needs of each microentrepreneur and the in-kind grants needed
13. Manage the procurement of the in-kind grants. This includes agreeing with Business Plan Competition winners on items to procure all the way through delivering the agreed items to the entrepreneurs using transparent procurement processes in line with ILO standards.
14. Conduct intensive business coaching and mentoring services and trainings for the 35 microentrepreneurs by the IP’s selected business coaches (at least 3 sessions)
15. Follow up on the grantees and provide regular monitoring with support and linkages to BDS mentoring and referrals to microfinance institutions for additional support
16. Conduct a closing event to present to ILO and other stakeholders at least 10 success stories from both batches with their products/services after receiving the in-kind grant. 

This is to be delivered, through continued consultations with ENABLE project team and ILO Specialists and using a results-based approach. Further breakdown of deliverables is detailed in the Expected results section.

EXPECTED RESULTS

PART A: Implementation of IYB and Financial Education trainings for Batch 2 of beneficiaries

In consultation with ILO’s project team, the implementing partner is expected to:

1. Outreach for more than160 microentrepreneurs who have been running their businesses for more than a year. The selection criteria will be set in close coordination with ENABLE team but may include:
   • Age: Above 18 years old
   • Nationalities: 50% Lebanese and 50% Syrian refugees
   • Gender: 50% women and 50% men
   • People with Disabilities: 5%
   • Socio-economic vulnerability: Defined primarily economically, beneficiaries who are under the poverty level. Additional signs of vulnerability may include parents and/or spouses supported by the beneficiaries, people with special needs (physical impairment, disability...), beneficiaries having dependents will be also considered, etc.
   • Good knowledge of Arabic both reading and writing.

The outreach will include using different social media outlets, promotion within disability center networks and with other local and international organizations working in the areas. Use of flyers and info sessions to promote the intervention in the selected districts/governorates is also needed.

2. Coordinate with ILO SIYB trainers to filter and select the applications according to IYB and ENABLE criteria.
3. Prepare a clear training plan with clear dates, schedules and locations and share with ENABLE team for approval
4. Implement 8 IYB trainings to reach more than 160 microentrepreneurs in the targeted locations. This involves supporting the SIYB trainers in the preparation of the trainings including but not limited to stationary items, rental of suitable training venues, good quality catering services (one lunch and one coffee break per 8hours of training day), transportation of trainers and trainees to the training venue and provision of accommodation for trainers in certain areas if there is a need. The stationary items would include flip charts and flip chart stands, markers, stickers, papers, pencils and certificates to be distributed at the end of the training. In terms of the training material, the IP is expected to print out the needed soft copies of manuals (around 250 pages), pre/post knowledge surveys and evaluation forms. The selected venue should include round table for trainees to complete the group work, chairs, functioning AC or heating system (depending on the season), rectangle tables outside the hall for placing coffee break and lunch, wall screen, video projector, printer for emergency printing.
5. Implement 8 Financial Education trainings for the 160 entrepreneurs who had attended the IYB trainings in targeted locations. This involves supporting the FE trainers in the preparation of the trainings in all related activities as mentioned in the IYB training part, noting that the soft copies of the FE manual to be printed are around 150 pages/manual.

PART B: Preparation for the Business Plan Competition (BPC) for Batch 1 and Batch 2 of beneficiaries

In consultation with ILO’s project team, the implementing partner is expected to:

1. Conduct business plan consolidation and pitching workshops for the 64 entrepreneurs from Batch 1 and for the interested beneficiaries out of the 160 entrepreneurs from Batch 2 separately. It is expected from the implementing partner to prepare all logistical support related to these workshops and distributing relevant transportation allowances. To build participants’ capacity and confidence, this phase will also include ‘pitching’ and networking sessions in which participants get the chance to practice pitching their business idea to the expert jury, and receive advice and coaching on how to improve and develop their business idea further
2. Support the interested beneficiaries to fill their comprehensive business plan in the different areas.
3. Develop the BPC concept note and workplan that is tailored for the context for each batch. This includes detailing the content that will be utilised to facilitate the BPC.
4. Develop the selection and judgment criteria jointly with the project team.

PART C: Business Plan Competition and in-kind grant procurement and distribution for Batch 1 and Batch 2 of beneficiaries

In consultation with ILO’s Project team, the implementing partner is expected to:

1.         Form a panel of judges comprising relevant high-level professionals and experts in the different sectors along with ILO to participate in the selection of the best entrepreneurs. A more restraint group of experts will be created to act as a jury that will evaluate and select submitted business plans. This jury will consist of experts with the proven capacity to analyse and evaluate project ideas and business plans based on criteria including viability of the business idea, quality of the business plan and ultimate market and job creation potential. In order to safeguard the objectivity of such a jury tasked with the evaluation of business ideas, it will be essential to include in the jury a number of experts from other regions without direct ties or involvement in the local support programme. The jury will thus include a restraint and selected number of experts from financial service providers, BDS providers and the private sector.

3.         Roll out the BPC to select 15 entrepreneurs with most viable business ideas from Batch 1 and 35 entrepreneurs from batch 2.

4.         Select the 15 best entrepreneurs from batch 1 and 35 microentrepreneurs from batch 2 after undertaking the needed due diligence assessments, business assessment and risk assessment by the MSME expert

5.         Prepare a needs assessment matrix to determine the needs of each entrepreneur on training, business development coaching services, mentoring and in-kind grants levels and submit it for ILO for clearance.

6.         Set the plan for each entrepreneur on needed trainings, business development coaching services, mentoring and in-king grant along with a timeline for execution. Once the plan is approved, roll out these latter. Participants will received individual counselling aimed at assessing their technical and entrepreneurial capacities and providing them with the specific support needed

7.         Procure and distribute the in-kind grants to the 15 winners from batch 1 and 35 winners from batch 2 for them to start and grow their businesses separately.

8.         Develop a detailed report showcasing the results of all the assessments conducted and the profile of each beneficiary.

9.         Develop a comprehensive report that details every phase of the process—from planning and implementation to the final outcomes. This report should include a timeline of activities, stakeholder feedback, performance metrics and any challenge encountered, along with solutions and recommendations for future projects.

10.       Cover and implement all communication activities and materials mentioned in Part C in terms of visuals, articles and social media.

Part D: Visibility event and follow-up

In consultation with ILO’s Project team, the implementing partner is expected to:

1. Develop a comprehensive communication and visibility plan outlining key messages, target audiences, and proposed communication channels. This should include a timeline for all planned communication activities.
2. Provide weekly social media content promoting key project milestones, including the trainings, business plan competition, coaching sessions, grant distribution, final event and success stories of beneficiaries.
3. Produce articles at key project milestones such as the launch of trainings, the Business Plan Competitions (BPC), announcement of winners, and final visibility event.
4. Create branded visibility materials, including banners, brochures, infographics, and videos promoting the project’s objectives and achievements.
5. Produce a promotional video showcasing the journey of selected entrepreneurs from training to launching their businesses.
6. Capture and share testimonials from key stakeholders, including ILO and EU representatives, trainers, and participants.
7. Document both final visibility and the competition events, capturing high-quality photos and videos.
8. Prepare at least 10 success stories in both written and video formats, highlighting the impact of the in-kind grants and business development support.
9. Develop creative and impactful visibility materials, including videos, pictures, testimonials, and documented success stories.
10. Develop specific content showcasing the diversity of beneficiaries, including stories of women entrepreneurs and marginalized groups, to promote inclusivity.
11. Conduct a visibility event where at least 10 businesses can present their products and services to ILO and other stakeholders
12. Organize the BPC and final events, including comprehensive logistics and communication elements, ensuring a fully branded venue with banners and audio-visual equipment, along with a cocktail reception for networking. During the final event, set up an exhibition space for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, and arrange professional photo and video coverage to document the event. Communication efforts should include pre-event promotion, social media coverage, branded visibility materials, and the production of success story videos and articles to maximize visibility and outreach.
13. Create series of infographics to visually represent key project data, such as: the number of beneficiaries (women, PwD) trained and supported, the impact of the in-kind grants on business growth
14. Document the best success stories by conducting in depth interviews on their business progress and the envisaged growth avenues after receiving the grants. Output expected in videos and innovative visibility materials.
15. Organize a final event to showcase at least 10 success stories featuring products and services that benefited from the in-kind grant, presented to the ILO and other key stakeholders.
16. Collaborate with ILO's Project team to ensure alignment with branding and messaging guidelines.

DELIVERABLES (Please review the deliverables in the attached ToR)

SELECTION CRITERIA OF IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

• Only proposals received from registered international and local non-profit organizations operating in Lebanon will be considered.

• The ILO invites technical and financial proposals from qualified organizations/entities having relevant experience in delivering similar services as mentioned in this Terms of Reference (TOR). Technically responsive and financially viable organization/entity will be chosen following ILO’s procurement rules/procedures on evaluation by ILO team of professionals.

Documents to be submitted in the proposal

Interested organizations must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Technical Proposal in line with the structure detailed below

2. CVs of adequately experienced team leader, MSME expert and coaches

3. Financial Proposal – as outlined below

4. Three (3) references for similar past works undertaken by the organization. Detailed contact information including the name, the title, and email and telephone numbers of people that can be contacted.

• Cumulative Evaluation Method will be used for this procurement exercise and Contract will be awarded to highest scorer(s) in Cumulative analysis considering Technical and Financial Evaluation:

Technical Proposal (70%)

The Technical proposal will contain 70% weight, whereas Technical Evaluation passing score is 50%.
Any applying entity that scores less than 50% in Technical Evaluation shall not be considered for financial evaluation.

Please review the attached ToR for more details

Financial Proposal (30%)

The financial proposal will contain 30% weight. The bidders shall complete the financial proposal using an excel sheet and submit both the Excel version and the Pdf version.  The financial proposal shall demonstrate:

• Activity costs (Section Expected results: PART A, PART B, PART C and PART D calculated separately) including workshop venues, stationary and workshop supplies, transportation of beneficiaries and trainers, accommodation of trainers, trainers’ fees (200USD/training day), printing material, consultation fees of MSME expert, procurement of in-kind assets, etc.
• Staffing costs (team leader, admin/finance support, business coaches, M&E support, etc…)
• Overhead costs
• Logistics costs (costs associated with the organisation expenses)
• Communication and visibility (banners, video and photo shoots, etc)

The financial proposal will be evaluated based on price reasonableness and overall cost.

SUPERVISION AND LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

All activities within the scope of this Terms of Reference will be carried out under the overall supervision of the ENABLE team with support from the regional enterprise development specialist.

Deliverables shall be submitted in line with the requirements explained in this TOR within the deadlines. The deliverables are subject to the approval of the ILO. 

TIME FRAME

This contract will be implemented over a period of around 8 months from the date of agreement signature - including the preparation phase. The Supplier is responsible for informing the Technical Officer in advance in case of any unforeseen delays or changes. The agreement is tentatively expected to start by 12 May 2025 and end by 15 December 2025.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE (Please review the payment schedule in the attached ToR)