Request for Information (RFI)
Closing Date & Time:27 April 2026, 16:00CET
Submission Email: [email protected]
Subject: Request for Information (RFI) – Market Assessment for Digital Green Innovation Competition

1. PURPOSE

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, through the Green Private Enterprise in Kosovo (GPEK) project, is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather information from qualified and interested organizations regarding their capacities and experience relevant to the potential design and implementation of a Digital Green Innovation Competition.

This RFI aims to identify organizations with capabilities in digital technologies, green innovation, competition management, and ecosystem facilitation that can support systemic change among SMEs. At this stage, Helvetas seeks indicative information only and does not require detailed technical proposals, methodologies, or evidence of past performance.

The information gathered will inform the design of a competitive catalytic mechanism under GPEK, implemented in line with a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Quotations (RFQ) or a commitment to issue a solicitation.

2. BACKGROUND

The Green Private Enterprise in Kosovo (GPEK) project seeks to promote sustainable and competitive SMEs by fostering green innovation, resource efficiency, and circular economy practices.

Under Outcome 3 – TRANSFORM, Output 3.1 the project focuses on relevant sectors of the economy and aims to strengthen sectoral intermediaries (e.g., business associations, clusters, innovation hubs, chambers) to become effective facilitators of green innovation services for their member SMEs.

Recognizing that most SMEs lack the internal capacity to independently design and implement digital green solutions, GPEK applies a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach. Rather than directly supporting individual enterprises, the project seeks to catalyze systemic change by strengthening ecosystem actors who can sustainably deliver innovation services on a scale.

To operationalize this strategy, Helvetas is exploring the potential launch of a Digital Green Innovation Competition that will serve as a catalytic mechanism to promote the integration of digital technologies into green innovation solutions.

Indicatively, such a mechanism could:

• Identify and support youth, women-led, and minority digitals olutions
• Stimulate the development of digital tools addressing environmental challenges
• Incentivize collaboration among ecosystem actors
• Promote scalable and replicable green innovation models.

Through this RFI, Helvetas seeks a broad overview of relevant market actors and potential partnership interest in order to refine the concept and scope of any future intervention.

3. INFORMATION REQUESTED

Respondents should structure their RFI response to address the sections below. Responses should be concise and high-level. Detailed methodologies, financial proposals, staffing structures, or supporting documentation are not required at this stage.

4. ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

This RFI seeks information from organizations that may contribute to the design and implementation of the Digital Green Innovation Competition.

Relevant respondents may include but are not limited to: Innovation hubs; Digital solution providers; Competition managers; Ecosystem facilitators).

Please provide brief information on:

1. Organization name and country of registration.
2. Primary sector focus and years of operation.
3. Key contact person(name, title, email, phone).

B. TECHNICAL CAPACITY — Digital Infrastructure

Please briefly indicate whether your organization has experience in any of the following areas

(short description):

1. Digital innovation or technology-enabled solutions
2. Green innovation, circular economy, or environmental sustainability initiatives
3. Entrepreneurship support, acceleration programs, or innovation challenges
4. Multi-stakeholder collaboration or ecosystem facilitation.

C. INDICATIVE INTEREST

[Please indicate briefly:]

• Whether your organization would potentially be interested in participating in a future competitive process related to this initiative.
• Whether you would foresee participating independently or in partnership with other actors.

4. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Format: PDF or MS Word.
2. Length: Maximum2-3 pages, no annexes required.

Submission: Email responses to [email protected] with subject line:

RFI 0001-GPEK – Market Assessment for Digital Green Innovation Competition

Deadline: Responses must be received by 27 April 2026, 16:00 CET

5. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only. It does not create any obligation for Helvetas to procure any services or award funding. Participation in this RFI will not pre-qualify or disadvantage any organization in any potential future procurement process.