Introduction

MASHROATI, an initiative to use ICT to empower micro and small enterprises, was piloted in Morocco with great results. An ICT for M/SMEs center of excellence was established and in collaboration with the Center of Development for Renewable Energies (CDER) involved more than 1000 small businesses for renewable energy in training and development .

 

Partners

  • ICTDAR / UNDP Morocco

    • Prime for the project coordination and implementation including chairing the steering committee
    • Design and implementation of the center of excellence
    • Creation of the portal
    • Development and implementation of the ‘distant nodes’ concept
    • Provide technical assistance & expertise in ICT for development as required
    • Provide substantive technical input in the field and monitor and evaluate the project

  • CDER
    • Daily management of the project
    • Location of the center
    • Operational costs of the project
    • Furnish the H/W and other assets for the center
    • Financial support


  • Microsoft
    • Various SW packages to support the center of excellence
    • Training for 22 candidates on UP
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Activities & Outcomes

Establishment of center of excellence facility to provide ICT services for M/SMEs

  • Location:
    • Activity: Determine pilot location
    • Prime: CDER
    • Outcome: Location selected in Marakkesh.

  • Hardware Installation:
    • Activity: Install 20 PCs, 1 laptop, 1 server, 1 scanner, 1 laser printer, 1 photocopier and 1 digital camera
    • Prime: CDER
    • Outcome: All provided

  • Management of the center:
    • Activity: Install 7 computers, 2 laptops, 1 server
    • Prime: CDER
    • Outcome: Installed

  • Software Installation:
    • Activity: Provide 30 MS office packages, 30 Windows XP, 1 SQL server & 2 Windows servers
    • Prime: Microsoft
    • Outcome: Completed

  • Project resources:
    • Activity: TOR & recruitment of project coordinator
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: Project coordinator hired.
    • Remarks: ICTDAR issued the TOR and recruited the Project coordinator.

  • Project resources:
    • Activity: Recruitment of project leader
    • Prime: CDER
    • Outcome: Project leader hired.
    • Remarks: Coordination and follow up activities of the project.

  • Development of the M/SMES toolkit :
    • Activity: Develop a toolkit for M/SMEs in both French & Arabic
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: Toolkit developed, in beta testing at the present time.
    • Remarks: The toolkit covers 7 aspects of M/SMEs management basics. They represent the fundamentals to successfully operate an M/SMEs. These subjects and their contents were decided upon after exhaustive needs assessment process with a sample of potential end users and consultation and consideration of the local and regional business environment. The toolkit is available on CDROM and it includes a user guide with examples
    • Business management overview
    • Planning
    • Marketing
    • Buying and costing
    • Accounting
    • Stock management
    • Payroll

  • Technical Support:
    • Activity: Provide technical support and guidance throughout the life cycle of the project
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: Completed
    • Remarks: ICTDAR provided substantive technical support directly through many field visits, reviews, comments and suggestions.

  • Portal Development:
    • Activity: Develop a portal for M/SMEs
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: Still under construction. Adapted for MdE
    • Remarks: After extensive research and discussion, ICTDAR, in consultation with CDER, developed the following functionalities for the portal, Automation of feedback procedures amongst M/SMEs and the center of excellence, Development of MdE catalogue which will be used as a marketing tool for young entrepreneurs , A section for knowledge exchange amongst players of the industry sector ,Establishment of forums between the entrepreneurs and project partners ,Development of database of CDER resources
      • Digitalization of CDER documentation. It is worth mentioning that MdE was planning to create 1 000 enterprises to sell renewable energy in rural areas. So, synergizing this project with their effort was a natural step.

  • Capacity Building- Training of Trainers (Technical):
    • Activity: Train 20 trainees on Microsoft’s UP & 2 trainees as webmasters.
    • Prime: Microsoft
    • Outcome: completed

  • Capacity Building - CDER staff:
    • Activity: Train CDER staff so they can support entrepreneurs
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: Completed
    • Remarks: On as need basis, including portal use (document loading, forum moderation and knowledge sharing)

  • Capacity Building- M/SMES toolkit training:
    • Activity: Train entrepreneurs on M/SMES toolkit
    • Prime: ICTDAR
    • Outcome: Scheduled for 2006
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