E-Fair: Promotion of an inclusive digital economic ecosystem in the Southern Mediterranean region
Context and objectives
Across the Southern Mediterranean, women entrepreneurs, cooperatives and social and solidarity economy (SSE) enterprises face significant barriers in accessing e-commerce opportunities. These include gaps in digital literacy, limited financial resources, restrictive policies, and insufficient visibility in national and international markets. As a result, women-led SMEs and fair-trade cooperatives remain excluded from the potential of digital trade, limiting their contribution to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The E-Fair project addresses these challenges by supporting women entrepreneurs and SSE actors to access digital markets through tailored training, advocacy, and partnership-building. It strengthens both the skills of women-led enterprises and the capacity of civil society organisations to provide ongoing support. At the same time, it promotes policy dialogue and raises awareness on the role of women and SSE enterprises in building fair, inclusive and sustainable digital economies.
Location
Key figures
Duration:
15 months
Countries:
5
Budget for the action:
EUR 375,238
Grant awarded:
EUR 300,000
Promoter
COSPE – Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Paesi Emergenti ETS
COSPE is an Italian non-profit association founded in 1983 and formally registered as an ETS (Third Sector Entity). Active in over 20 countries, COSPE promotes equality, sustainable development, and social justice through projects in human rights, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive economies.
In E-Fair, COSPE acts as lead promoter, coordinating activities across five countries, ensuring alignment with project objectives, and mobilising its international networks to strengthen advocacy for inclusive digital trade.
Key partners
- Ryzomes – The Solidarity Directory (Daleel Tadamon) – Lebanon
Ryzomes is a Lebanese non-profit that promotes solidarity economy principles by connecting cooperatives, fair-trade producers, and social enterprises. In E-Fair, it leads outreach in Lebanon and develops digital tools to boost visibility of women-led enterprises and cooperatives.
Beneficiaries
- Women-led SMEs, cooperatives, and SSE enterprises in Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Tunisia.
- Young women entrepreneurs seeking to expand their skills and digital market presence.
- Local business associations and civil society organisations, which gain capacity to support women in digital trade.
Key actions
Capacity-building programmes in digital literacy, e-commerce management, and online marketing for women entrepreneurs and SSE enterprises.
Mentorship and peer-support networks to strengthen knowledge exchange and confidence among women-led businesses.
Development of digital tools and resources to enhance the visibility and competitiveness of women-led enterprises.
Advocacy campaigns and policy dialogue to address structural barriers and promote an enabling environment for inclusive e-commerce.
Regional networking events connecting women entrepreneurs with investors, fair-trade networks, and digital platforms.
Partnership facilitation to link women-led SMEs and cooperatives with markets, investors, and support organisations.
Expected results
Enhanced digital and entrepreneurial skills among at least 150 women entrepreneurs, cooperatives and SSE actors.
Greater access to e-commerce platforms for women-led enterprises across five Southern Mediterranean countries.
Stronger institutional capacity of local partners to sustain training and advocacy initiatives.
New partnerships created between women entrepreneurs, digital platforms, and investors.
Policy recommendations developed and shared with governments and stakeholders to improve the regulatory framework for women in digital trade.
Increased visibility of women and SSE enterprises in national and international markets through advocacy and digital fairs.
