QOOT Cluster was selected to benefit from the Scale Up Voucher for Clusters, an activity under the Cluster Booster Track of the EU-funded project THE NEXT SOCIETY, aiming to empower clusters in the Mediterranean region.
The cluster received a technical assistance voucher with a value of 5000 euros to develop its growth strategy and expand business opportunities for its cluster members. Selection was based on the cluster’s mission and track records, its growth plan and milestones and its suggested plan for the technical assistance voucher.
Scale Up Voucher For Clusters
Clusters were selected from each of Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia to benefit from this opportunity. Berytech coordinated this activity in Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco, while partners of THE NEXT SOCIETY project in each country were responsible to implement the activity and support the cluster. Meetings were held with each cluster for needs assessment and to set the plan on how to best benefit from the technical assistance.
QOOT Cluster used the Scale Up Voucher to hire a consultant to create procedures and manuals, to work on enhancing the relationship with universities, improving the linkages between academia and industry, and on accelerating the knowledge transfer between businesses (cluster members & cluster partners).
QOOT Cluster was established in 2019 as the first agri-food innovation cluster in Lebanon to provide support and drive collaboration and linkages in the Lebanese agriculture and agri-food sectors. Currently, with over 70 members comprised of start-ups, SMEs, universities, and other service providers involved in agri-food and innovation, QOOT Cluster is involved in matchmaking activities, facilitating communication between members, managing joint ventures, promotional activities, capacity building, data collection and dissemination, lobbying and advocacy, and providing tailored support to its members in various areas.
Cluster Booster Track
The Cluster Booster Track is an exciting peer-to-peer learning and booster programme which helps cluster managers from the MENA region improve their management skills, multiply their business opportunities and open new channels of inter-clustering collaboration at national, regional and international level.
It is funded by the European Union under THE NEXT SOCIETY project and is organized in Lebanon by Berytech and ANIMA.
Read the full article: https://berytech.org/the-next-society-scaling-clusters-in-lebanon-tunisia-morocco/
