GREEN BUSINESS COMPETITION 2021

Green and Innovative Ideas is a competition that aims to develop innovation for green business ideas locally and support the role of businesses in engaging local communities to generate business ideas based on local resource utilization, reviving production traditions and local markets.

This competition provides planned financial support and mentoring for selected ideas and businesses that provide innovative solutions and contribute to the achievement of the seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Western Balkans and Greece:

  • SDG 2      Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
  • SDG 7      Clean Energy
  • SDG 8      Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 11    Sustainable Cities
  • SDG 12    Sustainable Consumption and Production (circular economy)
  • SDG 13    Climate Change
  • SDG 15    Life on Land

The Green Business Competition is based on the principles of environmental responsibility, ethical behavior, diversity, inclusion and empowerment, autonomy to promote the well-being of local communities, empowering entrepreneurship and enabling people to fulfill their potential. 

Purpose:

The goal of the Green Businesses competition is to support business initiatives aimed at social inclusion through integration and employment, and local economic development through environmentally friendly ideas. 

Financial Support

Any applicant or business proposal submitted under this Call must apply in one of the following LOTs:

LOT 1: Business Ideas at Conceptual Stage

This lot refers to business proposals that are in a conceptual/ embryonic phase. The fund will support business proposals for a period no longer that one year and with a maximum of funding no more than 5,000$.

LOT 2: Businesses in Pre-Seed Stage

This lot refers to business proposals that are already in the market, in the early stages of development, but existing no more than 3 years. The fund will support business proposals for a period no longer that one year with a maximum of funding no more than 10,000$.

Who can apply?

The competition is open to:

  • Individuals. In case the business proposal is selected for funding it would be required to register that as a legal entity before the funding agreement is signed and funds are released. The legal form chosen is up to the individual and it should be foreseen in the business proposals. Individuals are not eligible to apply in LOT 2.
  • Social Enterprises with a maximum positive balance of 10,000 EUR.
  • Small business ventures with a maximum annual profit of 10,000 EUR.
  • Non-profit organizations with a maximum positive balance of 10,000 EUR, referring to NGOs that have economic activities (sell products or offer services), with an annual profit not higher than 10,000 EUR without calculating donations or other funds. 

Application Criteria for Business Ideas at Conceptual Stage:

  • The idea is still in the early stages of development and is not existing for more than 3 years. (This strictly refers to the idea or the project, not the company/NGO itself)
  • The products or services are not yet present in the market;
  • The idea relies primarily upon local resources, including by employing local people and utilizing traditional skills;
  • The idea has a vision or action plan for environmental sustainability;
  • The idea has a plan for economic viability and/or incremental growth;
  • The idea has an innovative approach and valuable social impact;
  • The idea has assessed the local market and is aware of its competitors and comparative advantages;
  • The idea is innovative and unique compared to other businesses and initiatives in the community;
  • The idea is having a focus or contributes to one of the listed SDGs 2, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 15.

Application Criteria for Businesses in Pre – Seed Phase:

  • The business is still in the early stages of development, existing no more than three years;
  • The business relies primarily upon local resources, including by employing local people and utilizing traditional skills;
  • The business has a vision or action plan for environmental sustainability;
  • The business has a plan for economic viability and/or incremental growth;
  • The business has an innovative approach and valuable social impact;
  • The business has assessed the local market and is aware of its competitors and comparative advantages;
  • The business is innovative and unique compared to other businesses and initiatives in the community;
  • The business is having a focus or contributes to one of the listed SDGs 2, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 15.

The required documents:

1. Application form

2. Financial Budget

3. Business Model Canvas

4. A document certifying the legal status of the applicant entity (this does not apply for individuals)

5. Financial statements of the last year (this does not apply for individuals)

Selection Process:

The evaluation process will be carried out in two stages:

The first phase will include the selection of business proposals that meet the basic application criteria, together with the relevant documentation. Selection of candidates who pass the first stage will be made by the LENS team.

The second phase will involve organizing an open competition of candidates who have passed the first phase. Five business proposals will be selected as winners: three in LOT 1 and two in LOT 2.

• The first three ideas from the five winning ideas that will be selected in the national competition will compete in the regional competition. The three winners going to the regional competition will be 2 winners from LOT 1 and one winner from LOT 2.

• The three winners going to the regional competition will compete for additional funding, with $ 5,000 for LOT 1 and $ 10,000 for LOT 2, respectively.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 7, 2021!

Applications should be submitted electronically at: application@ngolens.org