Contract for Development of Content and Programme for a series of 3 Workshops on Literary Tourism for SME’s and Development of a 16 month SME Support Programme & Toolkit.

Descriptions

The WDC is seeking the assistance of suitably qualified organisations to;1)Develop and plan content/programme for 3 thematic workshops (for delivery in 4 partner regions). The workshops are intended to be introductory and focus on the key opportunities for SME engagement in the LT sector. The workshops should engage a minimum of 10 businesses in each partner region and will lead on to an open call for applications to the SME Support programme which will be delivered from October 2019-Feb 2021. Given that participants will be self employed the programme is not intended to be full time but delivered on a flexible basis and will break during summer months and other holidays.2) Develop and plan content/programme for SME Support (title of programme to be decided). On completion of the workshops in each partner region, SMEs will be invited to submit proposals for participation in the SME support programme which will provide targeted and tailored supports for product/service development. A total of 5 businesses per partner area will be accepted onto the programme and provided with €10,000 innovation vouchers to assist in development of product or services. The SME support programme will be implemented in 4 partner countries and the content for the programme should be provided in a toolkit format (each partner country will then tender for the delivery of the programme in their region). The Toolkit should be provided in a ready to implement format. Note: The SME support programme in the 4 partner regions will focus on the themes of the Pilot projects3) An initial needs analysis (online questionnaire or survey) should be prepared and circulated to all partners for distribution to assess the specific needs of SME’s to align the workshops and SME support programme.