MEDSt@rts
Photo © USAID by C Gutierrez
Med microfinance support system for start-ups

About the project

Young people with promising business ideas abound in the Mediterranean region. However, young entrepreneurs encounter severe credit constraints and gathering enough money to start or scale up their enterprise is often impossible. MEDSt@rts wants to help young people jump that deterrent hurdle. To do so, the project will develop an innovative supporting model to facilitate access to funding for “non-bankable” people. It will target strongly committed young Mediterranean people with innovative business ideas, either in initial or consolidation stage. Scouting, training and funding will be the three main steps of MEDSt@arts’ approach, and, as a result, new MSMEs will be launched in each participating country and new jobs will be created. 

Key information

MEDSt@rts
Med microfinance support system for start-ups
A.1 Business and SMEs development
A.1.1 Start-ups and recently established enterprises
Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon

Financial data

2.8 million
Total budget
2.5 million
EU contribution
%
10%
Project co-financing

Highlights

Project in numbers

7
Partners
5
Countries
8
Technical outputs

Project duration

Start date
End date

Partnership

News

Events

Library

Deliverables

Documents

Videos

What will be improved?

The development of a new model of business support, inspired by ethical finance and solidarity principles, will allow many young and women’s entrepreneurs to create, develop and run their own enterprises. Eventually, the project will lead to the creation of 75 new enterprises by participating country and up to 225 new jobs.

Who will benefit?

  • 75 young unemployed and aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage businesses
  • 60 microfinance actors as business angels, venture capitalists, private and public financial institutions
  • High schools and university students
  • Local authorities. MSMEs, local employment services providers, business centres, chambers of commerce
     

Expected achievements

  • 1 comprehensive database listing all microfinance schemes available in the Mediterranean area
  • 60 organisations part of a Mediterranean network on microfinance and microcredit for business development
  • 75 innovative business ideas identified and supported in different sectors, in particular digitization, sustainable tourism, handicraft, etc.   
  • 15 microfinance packages mixing direct support (sub-grant) and crowdfunding to support the growth of the best business ideas selected
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Project news

Italy: MEDSt@rts organises its final event "Mediterranean entrepreneurs"

On the 6th of July, MEDSt@rts final event in Cagliari (Italy) to discuss way to boost entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean

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MEDSt@rts final conference to showcase success stories of young entrepreneurs

Young entrepreneurs from Mediterranean countries will meet in Sfax, Tunisia on 24 of June.

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MEDSt@rts, Greece: 14 young people became entrepreneurs thanks to inclusive finance

Chamber of Achaia succesfully completed the nomination of the grants to the 14 final beneficiaries of the project.

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MEDSt@rts is ready to consolidate its innovative supporting model for Mediterranean “non-bankable” people

Important actions are planned to strengthen the impact of the project on the lives of almost 70 young entrepreneurs

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From Lebanon MEDSt@rts encourages the development of non-traditional funding programs in the Mediterranean

The challenges and results of the project were presented in the 3rd Microfinance Crossborder Forum on March 30th.

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Tunisia: MEDSt@rts announces the second Cross-Border Forum to build a Mediterranean microfinance strategy for new businesses

The event will be held in Sfax on March 3, with partners, stakeholders and international guests.

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Palestine: MEDSt@rts young entrepreneurs learned new Customer Relationship Management strategies for business

The 13 startuppers supported by the project participated in 18 training hours for the development of new skills

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MEDSt@rts: the Chamber of Achaia (Greece) organized the 1st Forum for a Mediterranean microfinance strategy

On December 15th, experts from 5 countries met to discuss how to integrate ideas and tools in common programme.

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Season’s greetings from MEDSt@rts

The MEDSt@rts project community wishes you a wonderful 2022.

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MEDSt@rts is considered a case study among the European cross-border cooperation projects for economic development

The financial inclusion initiative was included in the latest EU-funded TESIM publication.

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MEDSt@rts: the mid-term conference on microfinance and youth entrepreneurship in the Lebanese press

Read some articles published after the event organized last November 4 by the Chamber of Commerce of Sidon

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MEDSt@rts announces the first microfinance cross-border forum in Greece

The virtual meeting for Mediterranean microfinance actors will be held on December 15th in order to build a common Mediterranean strategy of financial inclusion.

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MEDSt@rts promotes financial inclusion as a way to boost youth entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean

The first results of the project were presented in the mid-term conference on November 4th in Sidon, Lebanon.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts entrepreneurs meet the microfinance promoter who will support them with specialist advice

A help desk will support the growth of the companies born within the project.

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MEDSt@rts young entrepreneurs celebrated the World Tourism Day

Our startuppers were involved in the special event promoted by the ENI CBC MED Programme.

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MEDSt@rts, Palestine: Leaders International is looking for a trainer

The deadline for submitting bids is October 7th, 2021

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MEDSt@rts: Vita meets Tour My Table, the first community of rural social eating in Sardinia

Read the interview with Enrico and Claudia Tola, young entrepreneurs supported by the MEDSt@rts Euro-Mediterranean project.

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MEDSt@rts, Tunisia: the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sfax has launched mentoring sessions with experts

Mentors are responsible for providing support and assistance services to 15 young entrepreneurs and startups.

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MEDSt@rts: discover ‘Deposito Smart Poetto’, an innovative box for the security of swimmers and athletes

Read the interview with Fabrizio Ariu, young Sardinian entrepreneur supported by MEDSt@rts.

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MEDSt@rts: the Italian-Arab Cooperation Chamber has selected microfinance promoters

The promoters will offer aspiring entrepreneurs a guide in finding the most suitable financial solutions.

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Greece: 15 MEDSt@rts business ideas have been selected and will receive up to 10,000 euros

The selected entrepreneurs will use this financial support to strengthen their business activity.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts publishes the list of beneficiaries admitted to the final evaluation

Following the interviews, the aspiring entrepreneurs will be able to sign the contracts to grab a 10,000-euro subgrant

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MEDSt@rts: discover ‘Hease Life’, a bracelet to remotely monitor the vital signs of the elderly people

The story of Fabio Deriu, Davide Pinna, Davide Basolu e Bassem Oreste Angioi, 4 young people from Sardinia supported by MEDSt@rts, was featu…

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MEDSt@rts, Greece: tender for the provision of training services

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 9th July.

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MEDSt@rts, Italy: Viviana, Valentina and their story in the magazine 'Vita'

Read the interview with the founders of Desacrè, a company specialized in sustainable design.

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MEDSt@rts: the Italian partners start the training of microfinance promoters

Microfinance promoters will manage a front desk/help service for the aspiring entrepreneurs.

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MEDSt@rts, Italy: aspiring entrepreneurs meet business mentor

The expert will support them with new services aimed at strengthening skills

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Palestine: MEDSt@rts launches the Funding Observatory for entrepreneurs

Through a virtual help desk, entrepreneurs can access many opportunities in Palestine, including microfinance loans, investments and technical services. 

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MEDSt@rts and the entrepreneurial story of Carlo in the Italian magazine 'Vita'

Read the interesting interview with the founder of QualityFind, the platform to find certified agri-food products.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts promotes team building among the aspiring entrepreneurs

The project beneficiaries will participate in two days of group training to enhance interpersonal relationships in an atmosphere of trust.

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MEDSt@rts: participation certificates´ceremony for Tunisian promoters of microfinance

The promoters were trained to acquire the necessary tools to guide young entrepreneurs.

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MEDSt@rts, Lebanon: 15 young entrepreneurs selected to participate in the final phase of the project

The finalists will receive up to 10,000 euros for their innovative business ideas.

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MEDSt@rts, Greece: tender for the organization of 7 online events

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 25th May.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts at the StartupItalia Open Summit 2021

On 21st May 2021 the project will be presented at the most important Italian event for startups and SMEs.

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MEDSt@rts: Eleonora, Alessia and their story in the Italian magazine 'Vita'

Read the interview with the founders of SharDunya, a company specialized in the muslim friendly tourism.

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MEDSt@rts: the Chamber of Commerce of Saida, Lebanon starts the training of microfinance promoters

Two selected promoters will be responsible for supporting the entrepreneurs, finding the best financial solutions.

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MEDSt@rts and the entrepreneurial story of Marcello Contu in the Italian magazine 'Vita'

Read the interesting interview with the founder of Veghu, a company specialized in the production of vegan cheese.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts selects the 15 aspiring entrepreneurs for the incubation process

6 women and 9 men will develop their business ideas in Sardinia and get up to 10,000 euros in financial support.

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MEDSt@rts, Tunisia: the Sfax Chamber of Commerce starts the training for microfinance promoters

Microfinance promoters will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating the selected start-ups, finding the most suitable financial solution…

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MEDSt@rts, Italy: the Italian-Arab Cooperation Chamber has published the list of aspiring microfinance promoters

The promoters will support the Chamber in managing a front desk/help service for the aspiring entrepreneurs.

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MEDSt@rts, Tunisia : launch of the joint training program for 15 young entrepreneurs

The program will cover business strategy, marketing, finance, management tools, etc.

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MEDSt@rts project: subscribe to our newsletter

The ENI CBC Med project has activated a new registration form

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15 young Tunisian entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in the final phase of the MEDSt@rts project

The finalists will receive up to 10,000 euros for their ideas in areas such as digitalization and tourism.

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Tunisia : “Business to Finance” meetings for the 10 young entrepreneurs not selected from the MEDSt@rts project

This day is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to find alternative sources of financing.

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MEDSt@rts: the Arab-Italian Cooperation Chamber launches the Local Microfinance Forums

From 7th April, microfinance actors will contribute to the definition of a common strategy.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts is looking for microfinance promoters

The deadline for the submission of applications is 29th March.

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Greece: two job vacancies under the MEDSt@rts project

The deadline for the submission of applications is March 19th.

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Palestine: MEDSt@rts is looking for a trainer for microfinance promoters

The deadline for the submission of applications is March 17th.

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Tunisia: MEDSt@rts offers new training opportunities for young entrepreneurs

More than 25 experts were able to provide their advice and know-how to the future preselected entrepreneurs within the framework of MEDSt@rts project.

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Lebanon: MEDSt@rts is looking for a trainer for microfinance promoters

The deadline for the submission of applications is March 6th.

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MEDSt@rts, Lebanon: the Microfinance Forum presents a New Inclusion Strategy

12 collaborative events led to the drafting of recommendations for the financial inclusion of Micro and Small Businesses in Lebanon.

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Lebanon: MEDSt@rts is looking for microfinance promoters

The deadline for the submission of applications is 28th February.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts publishes list of selected aspiring entrepreneurs

11 women and 15 men will be supported in a business creation process in sectors such as tourism, digital economy, electric mobility, bioplastics, etc.

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MEDSt@rts: the Italian aspiring entrepreneurs will be selected on 1, 2 and 3 February

The last selection step will identify the 25 young people who will create their own business through the project.

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Greece: MEDSt@rts project selects 25 innovative business ideas

The Achaia Chamber of Commerce and Industry has selected 25 innovative business ideas in 5 different economic sectors.

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MEDSt@rts, Tunisia: new deadline for the selection of microfinance promoters

The extended deadline for the submission of applications is 18th January.

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Season’s greetings from MEDSt@rts

The MEDSt@rts project team wishes you a wonderful 2021.

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MEDSt@rts, Lebanon: aspiring entrepreneurs start incubation process

Preliminary business ideas - on topics such as craftsmanship, eco-design, agrifood, digital and sanitizing technologies - were discussed during a group setting meeting.

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Tunisia: MEDSt@rts is still looking for microfinance promoters

The extended deadline for the submission of applications is 11th January.

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MEDSt@rts, Italy: candidates admitted to the interviews

30 candidates have been admitted to the next phase and will therefore be contacted by the Fondazione di Sardegna for individual interviews.

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Palestine: MEDSt@rts is looking for a trainer for microfinance promoters

The deadline for the submission of applications is 6th December.

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MEDSt@rts: networking of microfinance actors in Italy

The Italian-Arab Cooperation Chamber has started a cycle of online debates with local financial stakeholders.

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Tunisia: MEDSt@rts is looking for microfinance promoters

The deadline for the submission of applications is 10th December.

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MEDSt@rts: The Chamber of Sidon and South Lebanon launches local Microfinance Forums

A series of online events over a period of 12 days to foster discussion among Lebanese financial institutions and stakeholders.

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MEDSt@rts: new tender for a technical assistance service in Italy

The deadline for submitting bids is November, 30th 2020.

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MEDSt@rts: interviews with pre-selected aspiring entrepreneurs

The partners of MEDSt@rts project are evaluating the 240 applications received from aspiring entrepreneurs in Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon and Palestine to identify 25 participants in each country.

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MEDSt@rts: the evaluation procedure of the applications submitted by the aspiring entrepreneurs is ongoing

About 240 applications were submitted by young aspiring entrepreneurs from Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon and Palestine.

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Lebanon: MEDSt@rts is still looking for an expert in microfinance

The deadline for the submission of applications is 30th October.

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Palestine: MEDSt@rts is looking for business consultants

The deadline for submitting applications is October 25th.

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MEDSt@rts, Lebanon: new deadline for the selection of an expert in microfinance

The new deadline for the submission of applications is 10th October.

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MEDSt@rts launches local microfinance forums

The cycle of events aims to define a common strategy to support start-ups and innovative projects at territorial level.

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Lebanon: MEDSt@rts is looking for an expert in microfinance

The deadline for submitting applications is October 3rd.

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MEDSt@rts call for aspiring entrepreneurs in Italy: extended deadline

The new deadline for applications is September 29th.

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MEDSt@rts call for aspiring entrepreneurs: extended deadline in Tunisia

The new deadline for applications is August 31st, 2020.

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[MEDSt@rts] Palestine: LEADERS is looking for an Organizational Psychologist

The deadline for submitting applications is August 30th, 2020.

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Lebanon: two job vacancies under the MEDSt@rts project

Deadline for submitting applications is 8th August 2020.

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MEDSt@rts: tender for a technical assistance service

The deadline for submitting bids is August, 7th 2020.

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MEDSt@rts: open calls for aspiring entrepreneurs

Up to 75 grants worth €10,000 each are available to support young people with innovative business ideas.

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MEDSt@rts: three job vacancies in Italy

The deadline for submitting applications is July, 24th July.

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Tunisia: MEDSt@rts project selects 25 aspiring entrepreneurs

Up to 15 grants worth €10,000 each are available to support young Tunisian people with innovative business ideas.

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Italy: MEDSt@rts selects 25 aspiring entrepreneurs

The MEDSt@rts offers free training and funding up to 10,000 euros for young people with innnovative business ideas.

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MEDSt@rts project selects aspiring entrepreneurs in Lebanon and Greece

Financial support up to €10,000 is available for 50 young people with innovative business ideas.

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Palestine: MEDSt@rts selects 25 aspiring entrepreneurs

Up to 15 grants worth €10,000 each are available to support young people with innovative business ideas.

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MEDST@rts: study of the Mediterranean microfinance industry

The study maps over 100 microfinance organisations in Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia.

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10 June 2020
Tunisia: 18 local organizations contribute to create a transnational network of microfinance actors

MEDSt@rts project has organised a series of meetings to involve different stakeholders in support of aspiring entrepreneurs.

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10 June 2020
MEDSt@rts: the Chamber of Achaia, Greece is looking for an external auditor

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is June 22nd 2020. 

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03 June 2020
Lebanon: MEDSt@rts builds a network of microfinance actors

A cycle of meetings was organised by the Chamber of Commerce of Saida and South Lebanon and gathered 16 organisations active in the support to business development.

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11 May 2020
MEDSt@rts job vacancies in Tunisia: organizational psychologists

The deadline for submitting applications is May 20th, 2020

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05 May 2020
MEDSt@rts: towards a transnational network of microfinance actors

A cycle of online meetings has started in the five countries involved in the project in order to build a network of microfinance actors across the Mediterranean.

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27 April 2020
MEDSt@rts: technical assistance services

The deadline for submitting bids is May, 15th 2020

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22 April 2020
Tunisia: ‎MEDSt@rts is looking for facilitators

The deadline for submitting applications is April, 26th 2020.

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22 April 2020
MEDSt@rts: experts for the Networking of Microfinance Actors in Tunisia

The deadline for submitting applications is April 25th, 2020.

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17 April 2020
MEDSt@rts: provision of external audit services

The deadline for submitting bids is 24th April 2020.

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14 April 2020
MEDSt@rts: two job vacancies at the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry is looking for 2 management assistants under the MEDSt@rts project. The deadline for sending applications is 18 of April 2020.

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08 April 2020
MEDSt@rts: LEADERS is looking for a project auditor

LEADERS International, the Palestinian partner of the MEDSt@rts project, invites potential interested parties to submit a proposal for auditing services.

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07 April 2020
MEDSt@rts: Fondazione di Sardegna is looking for an external auditor

Fondazione di Sardegna invites potential interested parties who meet the requirements set out in the public notice to submit a bid for the project's external auditor posi…

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06 April 2020
MEDSt@rts project and the development of a new model of business support

The development of new and innovative business support models is of vital importance to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the Mediterranean economy.

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30 March 2020
MEDSt@rts, a project for Mediterranean “non-bankable” people

Inclusive finance concerns the offer of products and services to all those people who because of their economic and social conditions do not have access to credit.

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27 February 2020
Lebanon: MEDSt@rts project at the event "Tales of a Generation"

On 29 February 2020, MEDSt@rts will be presented in Sidon, Lebanon at the event "Tales of a Generation", powered by UNICEF.

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20 February 2020
MEDSt@rts: the Lebanese partner is selecting an external auditor

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Sidon and South Lebanon is selecting an external auditor to verify the expenditure of the MEDSt@rts project.

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30 January 2020
MEDSt@arts: first steering committee meeting in Cagliari

On January 30, the first project meeting to the steering committee was held at the headquarters of Fondazione di Sardegna in Cagliari.

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27 January 2020
MEDSt@rts, a new project to facilitate access to finance for young entrepreneurs

The project will be officially launched in Cagliari on January 31st in the presence of the 7 partners from Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon and Palestine.