MEDSt@rts: MED Microfinance Support System for Startups
Young people with promising business ideas abound in the Mediterranean region.However, young entrepreneurs encountered severe credit constraints, and gathering enough money to start or scale up their enterprises was often impossible.
MEDSt@arts wanted to help young people jump that deterrent hurdle, and accordingly, developed an innovative supporting model to facilitate access to funding for “non-bankable” people. It targeted actively committed young Mediterranean people with innovative business ideas, either in the initial or consolidation stage.
Scouting, training, and funding were the three main components of MEDSt@arts to launch new MESMEs and create new job opportunities.
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Duration
October 2019 – July 2022
Countries
Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon
Partners
European Union, The European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI) CBCMED, and Regione Autonoma De Sardigna
Budget
€1m – €5m
Announcements and Activities
April 21 – Fundraising Expert
As part of MEDSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, the fundraising expert is responsible for delivering fundraising campaigns/strategies tailored to the needs of the MEDSt@rts participants. The aim of this activity is to allow project participants the needed tools and targeted methods to acquire finances and guarantee financial sustainability. Furthermore, this activity will help participants identify their goals, understand available investment instruments and sources of capital, forecast funding needs, and attract local and regional investors. Based on the assessment of the project participants, the expert will draft funding plans, provide personalized advice according to market trends and their particular needs, and evaluate if any further support could be offered by partner organizations.
Click here to apply or learn more
September 26 – Web Seminars Trainers
The thematic web seminars trainer is responsible for providing viable and necessary knowledge and skill on Customer Relationship Management through adopting a highly interactive training methodology. The trainer will deliver 18 hours of online web seminars to the 15 MedSt@rts startup team on the topic of CRM through 6 3-hour online seminars, with the purpose of customer identification and skillset development. Moreover, the trainer is required to hold collaborative exercises throughout the training sessions, and to ensure active participant involvement among the trainees. Upon completion of the web seminars, the recordings will be published online on the ENICBCMED Website for future use. This activity will require 6 8-hour workdays, including the development of training materials, delivery of seminars, submission of reports and documentation, and any other tasks as requested by Leaders
Click here to apply or learn more
September 26 – Web Seminars Trainers
The thematic web seminars trainer is responsible for providing viable and necessary knowledge and skill on Customer Relationship Management through adopting a highly interactive training methodology. The trainer will deliver 18 hours of online web seminars to the 15 MedSt@rts startup team on the topic of CRM through 6 3-hour online seminars, with the purpose of customer identification and skillset development. Moreover, the trainer is required to hold collaborative exercises throughout the training sessions, and to ensure active participant involvement among the trainees. Upon completion of the web seminars, the recordings will be published online on the ENICBCMED Website for future use. This activity will require 6 8-hour workdays, including the development of training materials, delivery of seminars, submission of reports and documentation, and any other tasks as requested by Leaders
Click here to apply or learn more
March 15th – Sales Mentor
As part of MedSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, mentor(s) are responsible for the provision of support and assistance services to the 15 MedSt@rts entrepreneurs and startups through online mentorship sessions. The mentor is responsible for transferring viable and necessary knowledge and skills needed for each individual project to succeed.
The Sales mentor is responsible for identifying the needs of the MedSt@rts participants and providing each of them with customized sales-related consulting services according to their goals, needs, and vision. Furthermore, they are responsible for setting learning objectives for each participant and providing coaching sessions that will develop any lacking or weak skills.
Click here to apply or learn more
March 15th – Marketing Mentor
As part of MedSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, mentor(s) are responsible for the provision of support and assistance services to the 15 MedSt@rts entrepreneurs and startups through online mentorship sessions. The mentor is responsible for transferring viable and necessary knowledge and skills needed for each individual project to succeed.
The Marketing Mentor is responsible for drafting marketing plans for each participant based on the nature of their work and vision. Mentees are expected to receive structure, guidance, and support services, allowing them developed marketing and management skills that would help them tackle a variety of marketing challenges.
Click here to apply or learn more
March 15th – Investment Mentor
As part of MedSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, mentor(s) are responsible for the provision of support and assistance services to the 15 MedSt@rts entrepreneurs and startups through online mentorship sessions. The mentor is responsible for transferring viable and necessary knowledge and skills needed for each individual project to succeed.
The investment mentor is responsible for drafting investment plans and strategies for each participant, that allow them to set realistic and long-term goals. Mentors should provide participants with personalized advice based on market trends and their particular needs. The aim of the mentorship sessions is to allow mentees the knowledge and skills-base necessary to attract national and international investors.
Click here to apply or learn more
March 15th – Financial Mentor
As part of MedSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, mentor(s) are responsible for the provision of support and assistance services to the 15 MedSt@rts entrepreneurs and startups through online mentorship sessions. The mentor is responsible for transferring viable and necessary knowledge and skills needed for each individual project to succeed.
The Financial Mentor is responsible for developing Financial Plans and Budget Allocation plans for each MedSt@rts Participant. Furthermore, they are expected to assist the MedSt@rts Participants in dealing with any budgeting difficulties they may face. They are also in charge of the assessment of the financial situation of each participant and develop it accordingly, ensuring longevity, sustainability, and success in the marketplace.
Click here to apply or learn more
March 15th – Customer Service Mentor
As part of MedSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, mentor(s) are responsible for the provision of support and assistance services to the 15 MedSt@rts entrepreneurs and startups through online mentorship sessions. The mentor is responsible for transferring viable and necessary knowledge and skills needed for each individual project to succeed.
The Customer Service Mentor is responsible for mentoring MedSt@rts participants and allowing them the knowledge needed to provide easy and enjoyable experiences for the customer, with the ultimate goal of facilitating the growth of the startup. They are also in charge of developing thorough customer service plans that will allow the start-ups long-term guidance and success.
Click here to apply or learn more
March 7th – MED Microfinance support system for start-ups
The trainer is responsible for developing training material and delivering a 10-day incubation program, comprised of 60 hours (6h per day for 10 days) for 15 start-ups.
The Training methodology that will be utilized is a highly interactive participation-centred approach to ensure maximum engagement and discussion among participants. Small working groups and various collaborative exercises are held throughout the training sessions, with optimum results coming from active participant involvement. Thus, it is also peer-based learning where the results can be substantially high. The training will be online.
Click here to apply or learn more
January 6th – Microfinance Training Course
With the support of the EU-Funded MedSt@rts Project, we are pleased to announce “The Palestinian Microfinance Training Course”, targeting 10-15 students in their final year of university with a background in Finance. Dedicated and committed individuals are encouraged to apply to this 6-week training course, which will allow them highly valuable expertise and knowledge that will increase their employability in the marketplace. Participants will receive certifications indicating their completion of the course.
Click here to apply or learn more
November 23th – Trainer of Microfinance Promoters
As part of the MEDSt@rts objectives for sustainable development and durability, the Trainer shall provide a thorough and comprehensive training course for 10 promoters. This extensive course shall provide the Microfinance Promoters the tools and know-hows necessary for the provision of support and assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs in later stages of the project, which will enable entrepreneurs to find the most suitable financial solutions for national markets.
Click here to apply or learn more
September 20th – Analysis of the Mediterranean Microfinance Industry
As a preparatory activity to the design of a transnational network of microfinance, MEDSt@rts partnership have realized an in-depth analysis of the state of the microfinance industry, at a local and national level.
To read the full report, please click here
August 30th – Terms of Reference for the Position of Organisational Psychologist
Psychologists will assist in choosing the MedSt@rts candidates throughout the course of the
project. They will direct the candidates and assess them to ensure that the best 15 candidates are given the grant.
Click here to apply or learn more
June 30th – Medst@rts is currently accepting applications in Palestine.
You are encouraged to apply if you are 18-40 years old, unemployed, first-time business owner, or have an exciting business idea in one of the following sectors: digitalisation, agri-food, eco design, craftsmanship, cultural heritage, tourism, personal services, green innovation, isolation-economy, education, social innovation.
Click here to apply or learn more
April 27th – MEDSt@rts creates a network of local main actors to facilitate Palestinian entrepreneurs’ access to finance. The network brings together 12 financial institutions to build a constructive dialogue and share knowledge, as well as contribute to the project’s financing scheme, with a focus on talented, yet non-bankable entrepreneurs.
The Palestinian network is part of a bigger Mediterranean network that includes 60 key financing players from Greece
, Tunisia
, Lebanon 
, Palestine,
and Italy 
.
Selected Startups