Call for Proposals: Empowering Local Stakeholders in the Himalayas

Deadline: 6-Oct-23

IFOAM – Organics International is excited to share with you a call for proposals, which is a unique and impactful partnership opportunity to scale up agroecology in the Himalayas.

This initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Spearheaded by the World Future Council and IFOAM-Organics International, the project commenced in May 2023 and lasts 48 months.

The project aims to empower local stakeholders in the Himalayas (India, Nepal and Bhutan) to advance the development and co-creation of enabling policy frameworks for agroecology-based food systems, through knowledge enhancement, collaboration and engagement, while fostering support for agroecology at all levels.

Objectives

• The three project objectives are:
  • Scaling up Agroecology: Generating knowledge on sustainable food systems and agroecology policy and other measures and encouraging decision-makers to take action.
  • Empowering Local Stakeholders: Empowering stakeholders in their engagement in food policy processes, enhancing agroecology policy environments through such engagement.
  • Advancing Agroecology: Increasing support towards agroecology and sustainable food systems in India, the regional and global arena.
• The aforementioned objectives form component three of IFAD’s “Promotion of agroecological value chains in India and the Himalayan Region project”. In their implementation, synergies and complementarity will be sought by the WFC, IFOAM-OI and the selected Partners with the project’s other two components.

Funding Information

• From December 2023 to December 2026, substantial funding (500,000 EUR), will be allocated to partnering agreements.

Implementation Period

• For the period between 11 th December 2023 and 31st December 2026, they are seeking Partners for India and its Himalayan region, preferably – but not necessarily – in the form of a consortium.
• For the period between 11 th December 2023 and 30th November 2024, they are seeking Partners for Nepal and/or Bhutan, preferably – but not necessarily – in the form of a consortium.
• The expected results must be demonstrated within this period.

Activities according to Project Objectives

• The following activities are planned to be carried out by WFC, IFOAM-OI and Partners:
  • Scaling up Agroecology
    • Participatorily develop and finalize a roadmap for sustainable food systems based on agroecology together with key stakeholders, including offline and online participatory consultations and research
    • Deliver a targeted roadmap with recommendations for different governance levels for India, Nepal and Bhutan (local, state, federal, Himalaya-wide), with a special attention to selected Indian Himalayan states (including Sikkim, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and/or Nagaland)
    • Co-organize a high-level event for launching the roadmap in 2024
    • Develop and implement a comprehensive media and communication strategy, collaborating with key stakeholders
    • Undertake monitoring, evaluation and data analysis concerning the roadmap recommendations
  • Empowering Local Stakeholders
    • Conduct capacity development trainings on agroecology, policy, and media for local stakeholders and develop a training toolkit
    • Accompany the implementation of policy roadmaps in India and Indian Himalayan states by working closely together with other partners, by developing, executing, monitoring and evaluating a medium-term strategy that comprises e.g. events, research, publications, policy advice, media and communication, monitoring, evaluation and data analysis, etc.
    • WFC and IFOAM-OI to provide guidance and support in terms of strategy, coordination, expertise, finance and media to Partners and stakeholders
    • WFC and IFOAM-OI to publish a stocktaking report on roadmap implementation in 2027 and host a virtual event in 2027 to share lessons with other Himalayan countries.
  • Advancing Agroecology
    • Improve agroecology policymaking through knowledge products
    • Share knowledge on agroecology and sustainable food systems with stakeholders through media and events.

Geographic Focus

• Project activities are focused on India and on the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) – focus on Sikkim, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and/or Nagaland -, as well as, on Nepal and Bhutan.

Eligibility Criteria

• The entrustment of the aforementioned tasks requires the designated Partners having proper financial and operational capacities, a demonstrated track record in managing resources from foreign donors as well as, ideally, an existing FCRA license. A proposal can be submitted by corporate bodies enjoying tax privileges (non-profit purposes) or public bodies with tax privileged objectives (e.g. associations, institutions, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, academic institutes, etc.) registered in India, Bhutan or Nepal, under the conditions defined in the Call. Proposals from individuals or businesses cannot be considered. Ideally relevant state and national governments or government agencies become affiliate partners. The latter are, however, not eligible for financial support.
• If applying from India as a consortium of partners, there is a fixed budget of EUR 400,000, whilst for single Partners, the financial ceiling of the budget is EUR 100,000.
• If applying from Nepal or Bhutan as a consortium of partners or as a single Partner, there is a fixed budget of EUR 50,000 EUR per country.

For more information, visit IFOAM –  Organics International.