Dear GKD Members, Call for Proposals for the infoDev Incubator Support Center (iDISC)
Responding to a growing demand on specific needs shared by incubators in developing countries, and with support from the Government of Japan, infoDev is launching the Incubator Initiative. The initiative has several components, one of which includes the promotion of knowledge sharing and networking among technology and business incubators, as well as among the small/medium size enterprise (SME) development community promoting the appropriation of ICT into the business process. The knowledge management component will be carried out by an Incubator Support Center (iDISC) to be set up with financial support from infoDev. This component aims at establishing the first common repository of knowledge, best practices, experience and services - specifically targeted to address the challenges and opportunities facing technology and business incubators in developing countries The organization to run the iDISC will be selected on a competitive basis, and its main task is to provide informational, organizational, and technical support to incubators from developing countries during the implementation of the Incubator Initiative. The iDISC is expected to begin operations by November 1st, 2002 and to work under infoDev's overall guidance in providing such support for a period of 18 months. Other activities and Request For Proposals for grants and technical assistance funding to incubators in developing countries will follow as per the objectives of the Initiative. Proponent organizations from developed and developing countries with a strong background in the integration of ICT into small/medium enterprise incubation, and/or ICT and non-ICT business incubation consulting, preferably partnering with successful incubators and providing considerable co-financing resources, are particularly welcome to apply for the iDISC contract. Prior experience in developing countries, and/or work in collaboration with incubators in developing countries will be particularly helpful. Demonstrated experience in promoting ICT-based small and medium enterprises in developing countries to establish themselves in local and international markets will also be an important consideration. The 18-month contract to be awarded, will have the possibility of renewal beyond that period based on performance and need. Eligibility: This call for proposals is open to any organization, including for-profit, non-for-profit, academic and public-private consortiums. Any proponent, including partners in consortiums, should belong to a member country of the World Bank group. The organization, including partners, awarded the iDISC contract will not be eligible to apply for Incubator grants through subsequent activities under the infoDev Incubator Initiative. The deadline for proposals for the iDISC contract is September 2nd, 2002. For more information on the above initiative and call for proposals, please visit us at: http://www.infodev.org/incubator/IDISCrfp.htm http://www.infodev.org/incubator/ To receive the infoDev calls for proposals by e-mail as well as related information, please susbscribe to the infoDev-l distribution list at: http://www.infodev.org/news/discuss/ For any questions related to the Incubator Initiative and the call for proposals for the Incubator Support Center, please contact us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks and best regards, Rafael Hernandez infoDev Program http://www.infodev.org ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
