The Ecostart call for projects to support start-ups in the green and digital economy is launched. The initiative is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German international development cooperation agency. Interested project promoters have until July 7, 2020 to apply.
The Ecostart call for projects is launched in Morocco. The aim of this competition is to highlight and support auto-entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises, start-ups and researchers who are working towards a green economy. Ecostart is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German international development cooperation agency, as part of its Taahil Al Mokawalat programme (TAM III).
The GIZ is organising the competition in partnership with the National Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (Maroc PME) and the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (Amee). Ecostart is also part of the Morocco-European Union cooperation programme for “competitiveness and green growth” (Pacc). “The Covid-19 crisis shows us the urgent need to change our lifestyles and to rethink our economic and social model. It is an opportunity to rebuild a more just and sustainable economy. It is about enabling entrepreneurs to exploit new niches related to the green economy and to develop economically sustainable and competitive businesses contributing to an economy and a society more resilient to crises”, explain the organisers of Ecostart.
The award-winning projects
Ecostart’s ambition is to train 50 entrepreneurs over a period of 3 months and then reward 10 winners with a financial award to support their investment in energy efficiency, i.e. solutions for buildings or energy audits. The competition also concerns entrepreneurs working on renewable energies (solar, wind, biomass…) and on waste management with recycling or recovery solutions.
Entrepreneurs working in the field of water and liquid sanitation can also take part in Ecostart. They will have to propose concrete projects on water potabilisation or reduction of water consumption. The competition also aims to support entrepreneurs proposing green solutions for transport and eco-mobility, sustainable building, sustainable agricultural transformation processes, Green IT and digital solutions, services related to green industry, as well as for eco-solutions that can contribute to the management or response to economic or health crises such as Covid-19. Project leaders interested in Ecostart have until July 7, 2020 to apply.
Support for project leaders
Entrepreneurs selected following the Ecostart call for projects will benefit from a three-month support programme combining a business planning workshop, individual coaching and personalised technical advice. Project leaders will also be able to receive financial support for the acquisition of equipment, materials and digital solutions at a cost of 500,000 Moroccan dirhams (more than 46,000 euros). Amee also plans to disburse more than 46,000 euros for 10 winners of the Ecostart initiative.
For more information on the competition, click here.
Jean Marie Takouleu
