Conect proposes a training program for Tunisian eco-entrepreneurs

TUNISIA. The Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises (Conect) is launching a call for applications for thirty eco-entrepreneurs on Thursday 27 January 2022. The employers' union is looking for "entrepreneurs with existing green or circular projects (25 existing projects) in various fields, including organic agriculture, sustainable waste management, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, organic textiles, sustainable construction and the production of organic cosmetics," says a statement.

The selected candidates will have access to an initial training of about ten days (analysis and creation of sustainable business models from a social and environmental point of view, access to the market and access to financing) and to coaching to "acquire knowledge and skills useful for the development of their businesses and in the search for necessary private and public financial resources".

After this phase, the most promising projects will benefit from group and individual coaching sessions.

Entrepreneurs who complete the programme will be eligible for a competition offering a €7,500 grant to support the development of their business.

Applications are open until Sunday 27 February 2022.

This operation is financed by the European Union in the framework of ENI CBC Med (European Neighbourhood Instrument - Mediterranean Sea Basin Cross-border Cooperation) and its Green Impact Med (Gimed) project. With a total budget of €2.6m (of which €2.3m from the EU) and a duration of three years (September 2019- August 2022), Gimed targets SMEs and start-ups from Spain, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Italy and Tunisia.

It is supported by the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SPC/RAC) and aims to accompany 400 entrepreneurs, women and young people, in management positions in start-ups in the green and circular economy.