Accelerator

Accelerator Program

The HIGGS Accelerator is a training and advisory program, especially designed for non-profits in Greece with the aim to provide them with support on issues related to their strategy that reflects the overall operation of the organization which they represent and the development of their proposals.

The program is directed to small or medium-sized non-profits:

  • with at least 2 years of operation and a maximum number of 40 permanent and full-time employees.

Green and Sustainable Development Accelerator

The Green and Sustainable Development Accelerator is a accelerator for non-profit organisations and other non-profit initiatives with activities in the field of environmental/green and sustainable development.

Major donors of the Accelerator program are the Costas M. Lemos Foundation and the Ioannis S. Latsis Charitable Foundation. The GSD Accelerator is supported by the U.S. Embassy in Athens and is sponsored by Bayer.

Program characteristics and benefits

Cost: There is no cost, the program is offered free of charge
Duration: 6 months
Commencement: twice a year, November and May
Bootcamp: compulsory intensive 4 weeks (from 10:00 to 16:00) training in 16 different areas of expertise
Workshops: training seminars especially adapted to the needs of Greek non-profits
Weekly meetings: support on the development of a business plan and of  fundraising proposals directed to domestic and international donors.
Advisory: one to one meetings with the HIGGS Internal & External Team of Experts, regarding every aspect of their operations. Thematic areas: Legal, Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Facebook/Website, Volunteer Recrutiment/Management, Corporate Social Responsibility
Networking: with major Greek & international non-profits, funders & media as well with the organizations participating in the Incubator Program for the submission of joint fundraising proposals.
Free use of the HIGGS premises (co-working space, meeting & events rooms): to develop their activities.

Special benefits of the Green and Sustainable Development Accelerator program

Seminars, workshops & good practices by experts from Greece and America

Free access to NGO support platforms

The Accelerator program will be held mainly online.

To meet our Team and get additional information, please send an email to info@higgs3.org. We are looking forward to welcoming you at HIGGS!

Important Dates

The Application Period for the 18th Cycle of Accelerator Program: March 2023

18th Cycle Commencement: April 2023

Bootcamp

The training program (Bootcamp) has been especially designed for non-profit organizations (NPOs) operating in Greece. The Bootcamp lasts for 4 weeks, totally 80 hours, covering 16 thematic areas. Its aim is to provide the appropriate skills and necessary knowledge that will add value to the NPOs’ operation in general, and more specifically, to the development of successful funding proposals.

All participants in the Accelerator program have to attend the Bootcamp which takes place in the beginning and in the middle of the program in HIGGS premises.

The Courses

The thematic areas of the training courses include:

  • Funding Sources
  • Funding from International Donors–European Funds
  • Project Life Cycle
  • Designing a Project
  • Project Team Management
  • Volunteer Management
  • Networking
  • Logical Framework
  • Timeplan & WPs Sequencing
  • Budgeting
  • Proposal Writing
  • Project Implementation
  • Project Monitoring Techniques
  • Project Evaluation
  • Μarketing Techniques
  • Legal Issues
  • Business Plan
  • Strategic Plan
  • Fundraising Plan
  • Sustainability Plan

Course Hours

Courses are held during morning hours from 10:00 to 16:00.

Examinations

Upon completion of the 1st phase of the program (first 2 weeks), participants have to take an examination which aims to evaluate whether they have acquired a comprehensive knowledge of what they have been taught.

Following your successful result in the exam, you receive a certificate of attendance which can be included in your personal resume as well as in your organization’s credentials.

Submission Instructions

The organizations participating in the Accelerator program are selected based on the fundraising proposal that they submit. We focus only on small or medium-sized Nonprofit Organizations with at least 2 years of operation and a maximum number of 40 permanent and full-time employees.

Green and Sustainable Development Accelerator

Organisations who are interested in participating to the Green and Sustainable Development Accelerator are invited to submit online a concept note (a short version) of a funding proposal for a project/action/initiative related to sustainable and green development

Selection Criteria

Concept Quality: convincing vision and implementation plan

20%

Experience and Skills of the Implementation Team

10%

Creation of New Job Opportunities

15%

Environmental impact

10%

Implementation Methodology

20%

Proposal Maturity

10%

Implementation Partnership

15%

Application Form

The selection process includes a phone interview with the President or a member of your Board of your organization.

    Name of the Organization

    Legal Entity

    Date of Establishment

    Head Office Address

    Project Title

    The title should include the main point of the project briefly and concisely

    Background / Indicate the problem / Refer to the necessity of the project - (up to 700 characters)

    A brief summary for the necessity of the project by providing the relevant evidence

    700/700

    Purpose and immediate objectives of the project - (up to 900 characters)

    Write down all the immediate and long-term objectives

    900/900

    Activities - (up to 800 characters)

    Describe concisely every main action

    800/800

    Outcomes - (up to 1000 characters)

    List the expected outcomes of the project |refer also to the potential job opportunities that may arise|


    1000/1000

    Cost calculation

    Indicate the amount of money required and any other potential source of funding

    The profile of the organization/partnership - (up to 800 characters)

    Describe briefly the objectives, actions and outcomes of the organization/partnership. Explain how your organization / partnership has the qualifications to address this necessity/project


    800/800

    Why is Strategic Planning important to your Organization? - (up to 800 characters)


    0/800

    Contact Person

    Full Name

    Position

    Phone number

    Email