Technical/Management support in Go Digital in BiH Programme
Project description
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is implementing the Go Digital in BiH Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
The Go Digital in BiH Programme for SMEs was designed to enable SMEs in BiH to meet EU standards on environmental protection, occupational health and safety and product quality and safety by increasing the level of automation and digitalization employed in the operational processes.
EBRD implements Facility through local partner banks (PB) in BiH, which further onlend the funds to SMEs for eligible investments. In addition to the EU and the EBRD as promoters of the Facility, and PBs as local partners in its implementation, the process of implementation of the Facility implies the implementation of various activities by the Project Consultant (PC), which include the provision of technical support to PBs and SMEs during the implementation of the Facility.
The Project Consultant is the Italian company Rina Consulting, which engaged ENOVA to be its local partner in the implementation of activities that fall within the scope of responsibility of the Project Consultant.
Type of services provided
TASK 1 – Support in the general management of the Programme
- The elaboration of technical contents of the documents required by the Go Digital in BiH Programme (forms, manuals, procedures, report templates, promotional material) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH);
- Coordination of technical activities at local level (BIH);
- Management of weekly contacts with the Participating Banks (PBs) in the Country;
- Continuous support to PBs in the screening of potential sub-projects and clients;
- Assistance to the Sub-borrowers, if needed, during all the stages of the approval process;
- Implementation of technical component of capacity building activities addressed to PBs officers;
- the organization and participation to launch events or to other promotional events in BIH;
- Go Digital in BiH Programme reporting activities towards the EBRO, based on indications from the Project Coordinator and the Project Manager;
- Management of List of Eligible Technologies website, inserting and updating newly approved eligible items;
- Providing inputs based on requests of the EBRD and of the PM team.
TASK 2 – Technical consultancy
- Sub-Projects origination and preliminary screening providing, if needed, recommendation on the most suitable investments in green automation or digitalisation (adapted to the market context, sector/segment and other considerations in line with best practices) in coordination with the PM team;
- On-site visits to potential borrowers (with or without PB’s management and/or loan officers as required by the PB) to support them in their investment decision-making;
- Assessing the eligibility of the potential sub-projects (once a PB has performed preliminary credit screening and has indicated its agreement in principle to provide finance to a client) by undertaking preliminary screening actions according to the Programme eligibility criteria;
- For each sub-projects, preparing an Alignment Plan (based on Compliance Audit) and Investment Plan, assist the sub-borrower in making financing applications to PBs and monitor progress of projects financed; particularly regarding this issue assistance will be provided in:
- Obtaining an Engagement Letter from the from the prospective sub-borrower, based on standards defined by the Principal;
- Assessing SMEs current level of compliance with local laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina and with EU Directives in the areas of environmental protection, health and safety and product safety and quality, with particular reference to the Priority EU Directives (Compliance Audit);
- Recommending action plan for addressing any areas of non-compliance together with a detailed investment plan for the most critical actions (Alignment Plan);
- Elaborating a detailed description of the investments and other actions which will result in compliance (Investment Plan);
- Preparing an Activity Based Schedule (ABS) for the sub-project detailing key tasks design, commissioning of upgraded equipment, implementation of improved management systems/processes) including a Completion Validation Review (CVR) check-list to be used by the Verification Consultant to validate completion;
- Assessing Green Economy (GET) savings and any other benefits from the proposed investments under the supervision of the Senior / GET Technologies experts: increased production capacity, reduced maintenance, increased employment etc;
- in coordination with the Key experts and PM team, assessing the SMEs current level of automation and digitalisation including estimation of cost gaps of proposed eligible technologies relative to applicable alternatives and, where applicable, high-performance technologies to be included in the investments;
- Summarizing the sub-borrower and its business activities in order to support the loan application process;
- Recommending on the eligibility of the sub-project, confirming that it meets the eligibility criteria for the Facility and determining the appropriate grant rate applicable.
- Conducting the Project Monitoring Activities for each sub-project, filling in the Monitoring Report, creating the packages for EBRD MIS for the following upload in MIS by RINA’s team.
TASK 3 – Marketing and Visibility activities
- Support the team in Project Inception Phase Marketing Activities in BiH;
- Support to the Project Team in the management of any contact with EBRD marketing & communication responsible in the EBRD ROs;
- Meeting and supporting local Participating Banks (PBs) in identifying marketing needs and implementing adequate marketing strategies/plans;
- Support in the elaboration of Marketing plan and associated materials, where needed, to be agreed with the client and the PB;
- Support the Project Team in BIH to organize and coordinate Country level Launch Event and workshops and roundtables according to the project needs.
- Coordination of local marketing/visibility actions for writing and distribution of press releases for the leading local media, in accordance with project’s activities and results;
- Coordination of local marketing/visibility actions to organize interviews with SME representatives of completed projects (number to be defined according to the project requirements) in the leading local business media, with the purpose of presentation of the project results;
- Coordination of local marketing/visibility actions to arrange for distribution of articles (number to be defined according to the project requirements) about successful case studies (presentation of good practice of successful SME companies) in BIH;
- Opening and continuous managing of project’s account on social networks: Twitter, Linkedln and Facebook, if needed by the client;
- Support with contributions for the Programme website, if requested by the client;
- Coordination of local marketing/visibility actions to monitor and generate media announcements and delivery of monthly report to the client;
- Coordination of local marketing/visibility actions to deliver monthly report on social media performance, if requested.
- Ensure that the widest range of stakeholders is informed about the Programme and more generally with respect to raising awareness of implementation of EU standards, automation and digitalisation and where applicable, energy performance standards, in order to ensure a prompt uptake of the financing and the related benefits.