I.      Objectives and desired results

1. General Objective 

The focus of this assignment is to prepare the implementation of the future capacity building programme for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) supporting satellite-based digital innovation in Central Asia. The assignment will assess and analyses relevant BSOs across 3 Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan), with the objective of identifying their current capacities, existing incubation practices, maturity levels and specific needs to effectively support start-ups and SMEs developing solutions based on satellite technologies, Earth Observation data and related digital technologies.

BSOs, including incubators, accelerators and innovation support organisations, play a key role in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the development of innovative businesses. However, many organisations require additional capacities, tools, methodologies and networks to integrate new technological fields such as satellite applications, Earth Observation and IoT into their support services.

This assignment will therefore provide Expertise France with a comprehensive understanding of the operational readiness and capacity gaps of potential BSO beneficiaries. Based on this assessment, it will formulate recommendations for the design of a tailored capacity building and Train-the-Trainer programme, including the required training approach, thematic priorities, support modalities and expected outcomes. The assignment will also contribute to refining the Terms of Reference and technical requirements of the future capacity building programme.

2. Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Improve Expertise France's understanding of the Business Support Organisation landscape relevant to digital innovation and satellite-based applications in the three Central Asian countries.
2. Assess the operational capacities, maturity and readiness of selected BSOs to support entrepreneurs developing solutions based on satellite technologies, Earth Observation and IoT.
3. Identify institutional, technical and operational capacity gaps that may limit the ability of BSOs to design and implement incubation/acceleration programmes dedicated to satellite-based digital innovation.
4. Provide evidence-based recommendations for the design of the future Capacity Building and Train-the-Trainer Programme, including its pedagogical approach, thematic priorities, implementation modalities and expected results.
5. Support the preparation of the future procurement process by providing technical recommendations to refine the Terms of Reference, implementation methodology and expected deliverables of the Capacity Building Programme.

II.      Description of the assignment

1)      Planned activities

Task 1 – Identification and screening of Business Support Organisations

The expert shall identify and analyse relevant Business Support Organisations already active in entrepreneurship, innovation support and digital business development in the three countries, based on available information and existing stakeholder databases. For the purpose of this assignment, Business Support Organisations (BSOs) refer to public, private or non-profit organisations providing non-financial support services to entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs. These organisations include, but are not limited to, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, technology parks, entrepreneurship centres and other organisations supporting innovation, business creation and enterprise growth.

Within the framework of this assignment, the focus is placed on BSOs with the potential to support start-ups and SMEs developing digital solutions based on satellite technologies, including Earth Observation, satellite connectivity and IoT applications.

The objective of this task is to identify and analyse the landscape of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) operating in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan, with a focus on organisations supporting entrepreneurship, digital innovation and technology-based start-ups.

The expert shall identify relevant organisations, including but not limited to incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, technology parks, university-based entrepreneurship centres and other organisations providing support services to entrepreneurs and SMEs.

The analysis shall provide an overview of:

·        organisational profile and type of organisation;

·        geographical coverage and target beneficiaries;

·        thematic areas of intervention;

·        existing incubation and acceleration programmes;

·        experience supporting digital or technology-based innovation;

·        partnerships with private sector, academia, investors and international organisations;

·        preliminary relevance for supporting satellite-based digital innovation.

The expert shall establish an initial database of relevant BSOs to be further assessed under Task 2.

Deliverables

• D1 : BSO Landscape analysis and identification of potential beneficiaries in the 3 countries

Task 2 – Assessment and recommendation of BSO beneficiaries

The objective of this task is to assess the capacity, maturity and suitability of identified BSOs and recommend the organisations that should participate in the future capacity building programme.

Based on a predefined assessment framework validated with Expertise France, the expert shall evaluate candidate BSOs according to criteria including:

• organisational capacity and governance;
• experience in incubation and acceleration programmes;
• quality and scope of services provided to start-ups and SMEs;
• experience supporting digital innovation;
• availability of relevant staff and resources;
• capacity to mobilise mentors, experts and ecosystem partners;
• interest and potential to integrate satellite technologies, Earth Observation data and IoT applications into their services;
• sustainability and potential for long-term engagement.

The expert shall conduct interviews and consultations with shortlisted organisations and provide a comparative assessment.

Based on this analysis, the expert shall recommend a shortlist of BSOs for participation in the future capacity building programme, subject to Expertise France’s validation and local ministries approval.

Deliverables

D2: BSO Assessment and Selection Report including :

·        assessment methodology and criteria

·        scoring matrix

·        profile of assessed BSOs

·        recommended selection of BSOs

Task 3 – Capacity needs assessment and gap analysis of selected BSOs

The objective of this task is to identify the specific capacity gaps and support needs of selected BSOs in order to prepare them to support entrepreneurs developing satellite-based digital solutions.
The assessment shall analyse:

• current knowledge of satellite technologies, Earth Observation and IoT applications;
• existing capacity to support technology-based start-ups;
• incubation methodologies and tools;
• access to technical experts and mentors;
• networking capacities with space and innovation ecosystems;
• access to relevant data platforms, tools and resources;
• needs related to programme design, management and delivery.

The expert shall identify common regional needs as well as country-specific requirements.

Deliverables

D3.1 – Capacity Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis Report

Including :

• individual assessment of selected BSOs
• consolidated capacity gaps
• priority areas for intervention
• recommendations for the future train the trainer programme

Task 4 – Recommendations for the future capacity building programme and support technical specifications preparation and assessment of applications

The objective of this task is to translate the findings from the BSO assessment and capacity needs analysis into a comprehensive framework for the future capacity building programme and to support the preparation of the related procurement process.

Based on the identified needs, maturity levels and gaps of selected BSOs, the expert shall define recommendations regarding:

• the objectives and expected outcomes of the capacity building programme;
• the target competencies and learning objectives for participating BSOs;
• priority thematic areas, including satellite technologies, Earth Observation data, IoT applications, incubation methodologies and business support services;
• recommended delivery modalities (training sessions, coaching, mentoring, peer-learning, networking activities, study visits, etc.);
• proposed methodology and implementation approach;
• expected deliverables, timeline and monitoring framework;
• required expertise profiles and potential mobilisation of European technical experts and regional experts.

The expert shall also review and update the draft Terms of Reference for the future capacity building assignment, ensuring alignment between the proposed intervention and the actual needs of selected BSOs.

The expert may also provide technical support as an observer during the assessment of applications received under the future procurement procedure, by reviewing technical proposals against the approved evaluation criteria and providing recommendations.

Deliverables:

D4.1 – Capacity Building Programme Framework

Including:

• recommended programme structure and methodology;
• proposed intervention plan;
• expected outputs and deliverables;

D4.2 – Technical support to procurement “Train the trainers”

• Revised Terms of Reference for the future capacity building service.
• Assessment of service providers applications for the procurement “Train the trainers” and recommendations  

2)      Methodology

The expert shall propose a methodology combining:

·        desk review;

·        document analysis;

·        questionnaires;

·        semi-structured interviews;

·        online meetings;

·        operational self-assessments;

·        comparative analysis and matrix for each country and BSO’s

The assignment is not intended to conduct a national assessment of the space sector or to analyse national space policies.

3)      Anticipated deliverables

4. Coordination 

The component 3 coordinator will be the expert’s main contact person for Expertise France.

In their absence, the contact person will be The Project Team Leader.

A launch meeting shall be held 5 days after the contract award has been notified.

Close collaboration must take place with C4CA  personnel from assignment preparation right up to completion. Furthermore, regular exchanges must take place with Component 3 coordinator on assignment progress and any difficulties that may be encountered.

III.      Assignment reports

The structure and content of the final report (D5) shall be agreed upon with Expertise France during the inception phase of the assignment. The report shall include, at minimum:

• A summary of the methodology applied and activities conducted;
• The mapping and assessment of relevant Business Support Organisations (BSOs) across the five Central Asian countries;
• The analysis of selected BSOs’ maturity levels, capacities, needs and gaps;
• Recommendations for the selection of BSOs to be supported under the future capacity building programme;
• Recommendations for the structure and implementation modalities of the future capacity building programme;
• The revised Terms of Reference and technical recommendations for the subsequent capacity building procurement procedure;
• Key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for further implementation.

The final report shall be reviewed and validated by Expertise France before final acceptance of the assignment.