The 4th Steering Committee of the EU-funded INVESTMED project was held by BUSINESSMED on Thursday 26th May 2022, in a hybrid format, both in Barcelona and online. Project partners gathered to review the progress achieved so far, and agree steps forward to continue momentum to achieving overall goals. 

The meeting was opened by Mrs Jihen BOUTIBA, general director of BUSINESSMED who welcomed the consortium and gave the floor to Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the ENI CBC Med Programme, which provides funding to INVESTMED. He commended the consortium on their strong cooperation across both shores of the Mediterranean and noted the positive steps that have been made to support new, sustainable business opportunities for young people and women in the South Mediterranean.

The project consortium then discussed the calls for sub-grants for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) and MSMEs that were opened last year and reacted to applications are under evaluation. BSOs and MSMEs in each of the target countries will be selected to receive financing to implement incubation programmes, and launch or expand businesses in the green economy, blue economy, and cultural and creative industries; part of this selection process will involve local pitch sessions in each country, starting with Lebanon in June followed by Tunisia and Egypt in July.

Further progress that was discussed includes the production of an Intellectual Property Rights Guidebook specifically for Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia, available in English, French and Arabic. In the upcoming months, awareness campaigns and events will be designed and launched to ensure the maximum possible dissemination of this information and its value for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. 

Looking forwards, partners began to discuss collaboration over events to kick-off the sub-granted projects, as well as advocacy and policy events scheduled to take place in the next months. There was renewed commitment from all present to work together towards sustainable business and economic growth and development in the Southern Mediterranean, with a special focus on young people and women.