**Introduction**

Within the framework of the project “Boosting Innovative Business Initiatives Led by Women and Youth in Qena and Al Minya, Upper Egypt”, implemented by CIDEAL Foundation with the financial support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), specialized technical assistance is required to conduct a comprehensive study combining:

- A diagnosis of agriculture and handicraft value chains, and
- A market opportunities analysis for selected products within these value chains.

**About CIDEAL Foundation**

CIDEAL Foundation for Cooperation and Research is an independent organization with 40 years of experience in implementing international cooperation projects in developing countries. Its areas of work include food security and productive development, employment, entrepreneurship and income generation, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, human rights, and governance.

CIDEAL also operates as a research centre, developing innovative studies and training activities on key issues such as development cooperation, project management, the human rights-based approach, gender mainstreaming, and public-private collaboration. The Foundation’s headquarters are in Madrid, with offices and permanent staff in various parts of Spain, Africa, and Latin America.

**Context and justification**

Upper Egypt, particularly the governorates of Qena and Al Minya, offers significant opportunities for the development of productive sectors linked to agriculture and handicrafts. These sectors constitute key sources of livelihoods for local communities, especially for women and youth, and hold strong potential for generating sustainable economic growth.

They are characterised by:

- Strong links to local resources, traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage,
- A growing potential for integration into more structured and competitive value chains, and
- Emerging opportunities to access formal markets, certification schemes, and commercialization channels at national and international levels.

In this context, the project aims to unlock these opportunities by promoting innovative business initiatives, strengthening selected value chains, and supporting the development, certification, and commercialization of key products with high market potential.

**Objectives of the Technical Assistance**

To conduct an integrated study that includes (i) a comprehensive diagnosis of key agriculture and handicraft value chains in Qena and Al Minya, and (ii) an in-depth market opportunities analysis for a selection of priority products.

1. To analyse the structure, actors, and dynamics of the main value chains in the agriculture and handicraft sectors.
2. To conduct an in-depth assessment of market opportunities for the selected products at local, national, and international levels.
3. To provide practical recommendations to strengthen competitiveness, certification, and commercialization within the sector.
4. To identify and justify the selection of two priority products based on their production relevance, value chain potential, and market prospects.

**Methodology**

The expert shall propose a clear, feasible, and participatory methodology combining:

- Desk review of existing reports, data, and sectoral analyses.
- Fieldwork in Qena and Al Minya.
- Interviews and/or focus groups with key stakeholders (producers, cooperatives, SMEs, traders, institutions, etc.).
- Value chain analysis
- Market analysis

**Tasks to be performed**

The Technical Assistance will include:

1.Preliminary design of the study

- Proposed structure
- Detailed methodology
- Work plan and timeline

2\. Value chain diagnosis (Agriculture and Handicrafts)

- Identification and mapping of key value chains in both sectors.
- Analysis of main actors and roles, production processes, added value and distribution, bottlenecks, gender and youth participation
- Identification of products with strong territorial relevance and commercialization potential
- Pre-selection and justification of two priority products, based on criteria such as local production and availability, market demand, commercialization opportunities and relevance for women and youth economic participation.

3\. Market opportunities analysis

- Analysis of local, national and international markets
- Identification of demand trends, target market segments, price ranges and positioning, distribution channels
- Assessment of certification opportunities (e.g., organic, geographical indications, fair trade, etc.), export potential, market access barriers

4\. Recommendations and strategic proposals

- Recommendations for product development and differentiation, certification processes, value chain strengthening, sustainability
- Identification of opportunities to link products with tourism sector, local and international markets, project-supported entrepreneurial initiatives

**Deliverables**

1. **Inception report**
\*\*-\*\* Methodology
\- Work plan & timeline
\- Study outline

**2. Draft study report**

**3. Final validated study report,** including:
\- Value chain diagnosis
\- Product selection
\- Market opportunities analysis
\- Recommendations

**Duration of the consultancy**

The consultancy will last for 1 month.