CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI):

COFFEE AGROFORESTRY AND FOREST ENHANCEMENT FOR REDD+ (CAFÉ-REDD+) PROJECT IN LAM DONG

CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON SURVEY POTENTIAL PRODUCTS TO SERVE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY CULTURE AND TOURISM IN DUNG K'NO COMMUNE

BACKGROUND

About SNV Netherlands Development Organization

SNV is an international not-for-profit development organisation, working in more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. And that mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. Our global team of advisors use their specialist expertise to facilitate sustainable change in the livelihoods of millions of people living in poverty.

About Café-REDD+

SNV has obtained funding from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) for a project entitled ‘Coffee Agroforestry and Forest Enhancement for REDD+ in Lam Dong’ (CAFÉ-REDD), from 2018-2024. The project aims to establish and develop a public-private-producer partnership (4P) for forest landscape conservation and restoration in one of Lam Dong’s most important forested landscapes - the Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve comprised of Bi Doup Nui Ba National Park and surrounding agricultural land in Lac Duong District.

Activities of the project include; i) strengthening public sector capacity for climate smart/sustainable land use planning and collaborative management of forests with communities, ii) working with coffee-buying companies to improve monitoring and traceability systems to prevent deforestation in supply chains; and iii) investing in (mainly ethnic minority) smallholder farmers to promote climate smart, sustainable coffee production techniques leading to improved coffee quality and prices, whilst also promoting landscape restoration through mixed agroforestry systems and alternative livelihoods.

Playing a crucial dimension of Public – Private – Producer – Partnership (4Ps) approach throughout SNV’s development programs in general and Café-REDD project in particular, an environmental and social-inclusive business networking has been established and committed to deforestation-free value chains and farmer's prosperity.

Cafe-REDD will continue to accompany the local government and community as well as relevant parties to optimize the resources of each party to build a community culture-tourism model in Dung K'No commune.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall objective of the assignment is surveying the status of natural resources & indigenous culture and typical agricultural products to serve for the development of cultural & community tourism in Dung K'No commune following the socio-economic development program and planning of Lac Duong district.

DETAILED TASKS 

The requested tasks under the assignment are structured by the study aspects indicated above, however as an integrated assessment, it is expected that the team will develop efficient, cross-cutting and holistic approaches/methodologies which identify inter-linkages and opportunities for cross-collaboration in the performance of the work:

1. Inception report:

• Develop a detailed work plan for the assessment, including specification of inputs/support from local government partners and other stakeholders, as required.
• Identify indicators/parameters for information collection and develop a detailed participatory approach and survey methodology for the assessment considering appropriate sampling design and frame/size, and types of information (quantitative, qualitative) to be collected.
• Develop survey questionnaire(s) and data collection/input tool(s).

2. Baseline survey of the status of natural resources & indigenous culture and typical agricultural products to serve for the development of cultural village & community tourism in Dung K'No commune following the socio-economic development program and planning of Lac Duong district.

• Conduct a desk review of socio-economic development programs and plannings of Lac Duong district and Dung K'No commune then discuss with key SNV project staff to understand the project's objectives, approach and socio-economic impacts.
• Collect, analyse and select natural landscape; existing agricultural and cultural products (brocade weaving, straw wine, honey, coffee...) that may help to develop tour and destination served for cultural community tourism.
• Combine survey (including other relevant consultations such as focus group discussions etc.) and conduct free, prior and informed consultation (FPIC) with communities targeted by the project then record community concerns and meeting notes and verify broad community support for the project's interventions.

3. Assess the ability to cooperate with relevant parties and market potential for developing cultural and tourism products in the Dung K'No area:

• Quickly survey the linkage/cooperation capabilities of commercial enterprises and tourism services inside and outside of Lam Dong province for the expected products in part 1.
• Consult with local authorities and evaluate the possibility of integration with existing programs and plans in developing culture and tourism products.

4. Conduct a consultation workshop:

Present the findings and provide recommendations to the Project, relevant stake holders and local government (Lac Duong DPC, Dung K'No CPC) as well as relevant stakeholders on appropriate typical tourism product development approaches and interventions and environmental/social risk mitigation measures.

5. Prepare final report and recommendations (Vietnamese and English)

For more details on the Expression of Interest process, submission requirements, and evaluation details, please see corresponding sections below:

Submission Requirements

Interested organisations should submit the EOIs with following information/ documents via the link https://smrtr.io/ks7_F 1.     Letter of Interest 2.     The applicant’s professional qualifications and CVs which requires: At least an MSc in business development, tourism services, community development, and other relevant fields. The consultant (s) should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in this assignment. Good presentation and communication skills. Experience in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Demonstrable experience in working with SNV/iNGOs and the private sector. Demonstrable experience working in Lam Dong/Central Highland is desired 3.     Self-Declaration Form via the link https://smrtr.io/ks7_F 4.     Business registration certificate of the company;

Deadline for EOI Submissions

EOIs are due 17:00 on May 25th, 2024

Selection Process

SNV will review all Expressions of Interest received in accordance with the guidelines and criteria in this solicitation. SNV reserves the right to exclude any EOIs that do not meet the guidelines. Please note that SNV is unable to provide detailed feedback to those EOIs that are not selected.

Step 1: SNV will shortlist selected EOIs, and unsuccessful respondents will be notified. Successful applicants will be contacted by SNV.

Step 2: SNV will release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the specific activities and contract with the selected organizations/ consultants.

Protection of Information

We request that Expressions of Interest responses be free of any intellectual property that the applicant wishes to protect. Should offerors wish to include proprietary intellectual property that they believe would be helpful for SNV, please note the proprietary nature of such information. Costing information will be kept confidential and will not be shared beyond SNV.

Issuance of this EOI does not constitute a commitment, award, or engagement on the part of SNV nor does it commit SNV to any future commitment or engagement.

Note: SNV reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement in the EOI/or solicitation process at any time.

Organization: SNV
Location:
Application deadline: 2024-05-25
Send application to: https://smrtr.io/ks7_F