Consulting Services for Supporting Informal Artisanal Entrepreneurs Through Capacity Building and Formalization

This tender aims to recruit a specialized consulting firm with proven experience in supporting innovative entrepreneurs from the informal economy, particularly in the artisanal sector. The selected contractor will design and implement a comprehensive accompaniment program combining capacity building, individualized coaching, formalization support, and preparation for access to finance.

The assignment is structured around two main phases: - Phase 1 focuses on program preparation and capacity building, including inception meetings with key stakeholders, awareness campaigns, calls for applications, and the selection of approximately 60 innovative informal entrepreneurs.

It also includes the selection and training of 12 to 15 local trainers from business support structures, the implementation of in-depth diagnostics of beneficiary enterprises, assessment of trainers' capacities, and the development of tailored training modules covering entrepreneurship and business management, marketing and communication, and formalization processes.

- Phase 2 consists of the implementation of the structured accompaniment program through group training sessions, individualized coaching and on-site visits, matchmaking with financial institutions and ecosystem actors, and support to progressive formalization.

The contractor will also establish a monitoring and evaluation system, provide practical toolkits to entrepreneurs and trainers, and organize pitching preparation and pitching events to connect selected entrepreneurs with potential investors and partners.

Throughout the assignment, the contractor is expected to apply participatory and practice-oriented methodologies, integrate digital tools where possible, ensure the involvement of trained local trainers, and maintain close coordination with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Chamber of Crafts of Côte d'Ivoire, GIZ ProREI, and other relevant stakeholders.

The assignment contributes primarily to Output 3 of the ProREI project while indirectly supporting Outputs 1 and 2 related to public capacity building and public-private dialogue.