Deadline: 29-Jun-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking applications for a consultancy to strengthen business skills, financial literacy, market readiness and investment access for cooperatives and smallholder farmer groups in Vietnam. The programme will support farmers and cooperative leaders through training, coaching, financial linkages and sustainable value chain development.
The assignment will focus on key commodity value chains including coffee, durian and macadamia in selected communes of the iLandscape project in Lam Dong province.
Overview of the UNDP Smallholder Capacity Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is launching a consultancy opportunity to improve the capacity of cooperatives, producer groups and smallholder farmers to operate stronger and more sustainable businesses.
The initiative aims to support:
- Business management skills
- Financial literacy
- Market readiness
- Investment access
- Sustainable agriculture practices
- Climate-smart production systems
The programme will strengthen smallholder participation in agricultural value chains and improve connections with financial institutions and market actors.
Assignment Duration
The consultancy will run for:
10 months
Implementation period:
July 2026 to April 2027
The selected organisation will work with cooperatives, farmers, financial institutions and private sector partners during this period.
Main Objectives of the Consultancy
The overall objective is to strengthen the capacity of:
- Smallholder farmers
- Cooperative groups
- Producer organisations
- Value chain partners
The programme focuses on improving business performance and investment readiness within priority commodity sectors.
Priority Commodity Value Chains
The initiative will support key agricultural value chains including:
Coffee Value Chain
Activities will support farmers and cooperatives to improve:
- Business planning
- Market connections
- Financial access
- Sustainable production practices
Durian Value Chain
The programme will help strengthen:
- Production groups
- Market linkages
- Cooperative management
- Investment opportunities
Macadamia Value Chain
Support will focus on:
- Farmer capacity
- Value chain development
- Sustainable farming approaches
Geographic Focus Area
The consultancy will operate in selected communes under the iLandscape project in Lam Dong province.
The project area focuses on strengthening sustainable landscape approaches through improved agricultural practices and stronger rural businesses.
Key Focus Areas
Business Skills and Financial Literacy Training
The selected firm will provide training to farmers and cooperative leaders on:
- Business management
- Financial planning
- Record keeping
- Investment preparation
- Financial decision-making
Training will use:
- Participatory learning methods
- Adult-learning approaches
- Practical business exercises
Market Readiness Development
The programme will help cooperatives become more prepared for market participation.
Activities include:
- Improving business models
- Understanding buyer requirements
- Building value chain relationships
- Preparing for commercial opportunities
Investment Promotion and Financial Linkages
The initiative will support cooperatives in accessing finance through:
- Investment planning
- Business plan development
- Financial institution engagement
- Private sector connections
The goal is to create bankable investment opportunities.
Sustainable and Climate-Smart Production
Selected cooperatives will receive support to strengthen:
- Sustainable farming methods
- Climate-smart production
- Long-term resilience
- Responsible value chain practices
Training and Capacity Building Activities
The selected firm will conduct training for:
- At least 450 farmers
- Cooperative leaders
- Members of 10 cooperatives or producer groups
The programme will include:
- Training needs assessment
- Training material development
- Practical workshops
Workshop Implementation
The consultancy will organise:
15 full-day workshops
Location:
Lam Dong province
The workshops will focus on improving practical skills related to:
- Business operations
- Financial management
- Market engagement
- Investment readiness
Support for Cooperatives and Producer Groups
The consultancy will coordinate the selection of:
10 cooperatives or production groups
These groups will receive additional coaching focused on:
- Market access
- Financial access
- Business development
- Sustainable production systems
Development of Practical Toolkit
A guidance toolkit will be developed for cooperative leaders.
The toolkit will help leaders manage:
- Loan application processes
- Financial planning
- Business relationships
- Value chain partnerships
The goal is to help cooperatives independently manage future growth opportunities.
Engagement with Banks and Lead Firms
The consultancy will facilitate collaboration with:
- Local banks
- Lead companies
- Market actors
This will help cooperatives understand:
- Financial requirements
- Purchasing procedures
- Commercial expectations
- Partnership opportunities
Expected Deliverables
The selected organisation will deliver:
Training Materials
Resources based on identified capacity gaps and farmer needs.
Capacity-Building Workshops
A series of practical training sessions for farmers and cooperative leaders.
Investment-Ready Business Models
Support for cooperatives to develop:
- Business plans
- Financial strategies
- Market approaches
Synthesis Report
A comprehensive report will document:
- Training outcomes
- Field practices
- Lessons learned
- Business model evaluations
- Scaling opportunities
Who Is This Opportunity For?
The consultancy is suitable for organisations with experience in:
- Agricultural development
- Cooperative strengthening
- Financial inclusion
- Business advisory services
- Value chain development
Eligible applicants should have expertise in:
- Farmer training
- Market systems
- Investment facilitation
- Sustainable agriculture
How the Programme Will Work
Step 1: Assess Training Needs
The selected firm will identify:
- Skill gaps
- Business challenges
- Financial barriers
- Market opportunities
Step 2: Design Training Programme
Training materials will be developed based on assessment findings.
Step 3: Deliver Workshops
The organisation will conduct practical sessions for farmers and cooperative leaders.
Step 4: Provide Coaching Support
Selected cooperatives will receive targeted assistance to improve:
- Business models
- Investment readiness
- Market connections
Step 5: Document Results
The consultancy will prepare a final synthesis report highlighting:
- Achievements
- Lessons learned
- Future scaling opportunities
Why This Initiative Matters
Smallholder farmers and cooperatives often face challenges including:
- Limited business skills
- Difficulty accessing finance
- Weak market connections
- Lack of investment readiness
This programme addresses these barriers by creating stronger agricultural businesses and sustainable value chains.
Expected Impact
The initiative aims to achieve:
- More capable cooperatives
- Better farmer incomes
- Stronger market participation
- Increased financial access
- More sustainable agriculture
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Local Context
Training should reflect:
- Farmer realities
- Local markets
- Commodity-specific challenges
Providing Only Theoretical Training
Activities should include:
- Practical examples
- Real business exercises
- Field-based learning
Weak Financial Planning
Cooperatives should receive support to develop:
- Realistic budgets
- Investment plans
- Financial strategies
Poor Stakeholder Coordination
Successful implementation requires collaboration between:
- Farmers
- Cooperatives
- Banks
- Businesses
- Local stakeholders
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong consultancy proposal should demonstrate:
- Experience working with farmers
- Knowledge of cooperatives
- Financial inclusion expertise
- Ability to deliver training
- Understanding of sustainable agriculture
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the UNDP consultancy opportunity about?
It supports cooperatives and smallholder groups by improving business skills, financial literacy, market readiness and access to investment.
2. Where will the programme take place?
The programme will be implemented in selected communes of Lam Dong province under the iLandscape project.
3. Which commodities are covered?
The initiative focuses on coffee, durian and macadamia value chains.
4. How many people will receive training?
At least 450 farmers and cooperative leaders from 10 cooperatives or producer groups will participate.
5. How many workshops will be conducted?
The selected firm will organise 15 full-day training workshops.
6. What support will cooperatives receive?
Selected groups will receive coaching on market access, financial access, business planning and sustainable production.
7. What is the expected outcome of the consultancy?
The programme aims to create stronger cooperatives, improved investment readiness and more sustainable agricultural value chains.
Conclusion
The UNDP consultancy opportunity provides a pathway to strengthen smallholder farmers and cooperatives through business training, financial access and market development.
By improving skills, building investment-ready models and strengthening commodity value chains, the initiative supports sustainable agricultural growth and climate-resilient rural development.
For more information, visit UNDP.
