Joint Initiative Between Berytech and WFP for agri-food Members

The FSC Program is a joint initiative between Berytech and WFP to strengthen the value chain of selected sectors and build the capacity of cooperatives, small and medium-sized enterprises, and local institutions. In line with WFP’s expectations, our approach for FSC cycle 4 will focus on achieving the highest impact possible.

 

Targeted Agri-food Value Chains

• Dairy and Meat (Cow, Sheep and Goat)
• Cereals and Pulses (including their by-product)
• Protected horticulture (Classical Greenhouses, hydroponics and aquaponics).
• Domesticated edible herbs & plants.

 

Proposed Modality for FSC Cycle 4

12 FSC winners will benefit from cash/in-kind grants following 2 tracks:

• Track 1: Grant with a Matching Requirement

Under this track, 6 medium - to mature organizations will be granted up to a $35K grant directly paid by WFP. The SME must provide an upfront match (cash or in-kind) of at least 100% of the amount received. For example, if the SME gets a grant of $35K paid by WFP, they need to pay $35K upfront from their side.

• Track 2: Grant Coupled with a Reimbursable Grant

This track is designed for highly impactful organizations (6 out of the 12 selected) that may not have the required matching amount upfront but have the potential to scale and generate impact. These businesses will receive a reimbursable grant of up to $30K from Berytech in addition to a $35K grant to be directly paid by WFP. The reimbursable grant will be amortized over a period of 12 months, with quarterly or semi-annual repayments and a 3 to 6-month grace period, depending on the organization’s cash flow and ability to repay.

 

In addition to the cash grant, the 12 FSC winners will benefit from tailored technical assistance of up to $10K and Business Development Services.

 

Eligibility criteria

• Legally registered enterprises in Lebanon (businesses and cooperatives) that are well-established and have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 50 full-time employees.
• Enterprises with a plan to scale up an existing solution with proven market share, addressing one or more of the food system challenges. Organizations should provide sales/return proof for selling the solution (product or service). The FSC will accommodate only financially viable enterprises with a proven and sustainable revenue model.
• Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, food transformation enterprises, farming business enterprises, input suppliers, manufacturers of food and farming-related solutions, collection and storage centers, etc.
• Solutions at the idea, testing, or piloting stages will not be eligible for funding.

 

 

Keeping in mind the main goals of the Food System Challenges to be tackled throughout the intervention:

 

• Increasing productivity and efficiency of production through onfarm activities and inputs.
• Supporting innovative approaches valorizing and reducing food loss or waste.
• Enhancing local rawmaterial sourcing: The FSC will focus its assistance on projects that source their food raw materials from local origins.
• Improving the processing efficiency and marketing capacity of produce while creating stronger market linkages with suppliers and consumers.
• Introducing climate change adaptation measures.
• Enhancing financial sustainability and growth.

 

The call for application is now open and can be reached on the following link: https://berytech.jotform.com/240991919354972