The EMPHASIS project is stepping up to support Lebanese SMEs during a time of crisis. With the economic slowdown and uncertainties caused by the pandemic, small businesses in Lebanon are struggling to keep up and stay competitive in the market. The project aims to provide technical assistance and skill-sets to businesses, especially those in the agri-food and Environment & Sustainable Development sectors, to help them identify and tap into added values and business opportunities.
The project is led by Euro-Lebanese Centre For Industrial Modernsation at the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), EMPHASIS Lebanese partner, which has selected four SMEs based on their ‘readiness’ to engage with the open Innovation (OI) ecosystem. The selected SMEs represent various sectors, including Sustainable Energy Environment & Sustainable Development and Agri-food, and face different challenges, from access to finance to skill gaps and lack of advanced R&D.
In conclusion, the EMPHASIS project is a lifeline for Lebanese SMEs, especially during these challenging times. By providing technical assistance, skill-sets, and capacity building, the project is helping businesses identify new opportunities, become more competitive, and expand their markets. The selected SMEs represent the resilience, creativity, and potential of Lebanese entrepreneurs, and their success will have a positive impact on the economy and the community.