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Call for Proposals: Supporting Recycling & Upcycling Business Incubation in Nepal

Deadline: 11-Mar-25

The United Nations Development Programme is inviting applications from Not-for-Profit Company/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Community based Organizations (CBOs) to provide support in implementation of the recycling and upcycling (RU) business incubation programme and development and operationalization of RU enterprises in Pokhara.

Objectives 
  • The objective of the business incubation program is to:
    • Identifying and onboarding potential RU entrepreneurs (individual/group) to start their enterprise in Pokhara through a structured application and selection process.
    • Supporting the development and validation of business models through training, mentorship, and peer learning.
    • Providing capacity-building initiatives, including financial literacy, digital branding, marketing strategies, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.
    • Facilitating the development and refinement of prototypes, testing minimum viable products (MVPs), and implementing market feedback.
    • Enhancing business growth through investment readiness training, sales strategy development, and financial planning.
    • Organizing a final demo day, connecting startups with investors, government agencies, and industry networks.
    • Selecting and supporting the top five business ideas with financial incentives and seed fund mobilization for sustainable implementation.
Scope of Work 
  • The activities to be implemented within each of the program components are listed below:
    • Month 1: Application and Ideation 
      • Conduct application, selection, and onboarding of aspiring and existing RU enterprises/entrepreneurs.
      • Open applications for individuals, groups, and RU enterprises to participate in the RU business incubation program.
      • Identify and shortlist 20 potential business ideas for 2025 while maintaining a roster for future consideration.
      • Define selection criteria in coordination with the GCRU project and conduct a fair review process.
      • Provide project orientation, introducing participants to the program, its objectives, and available resources.
      • Support selected participants in understanding customer needs, identifying market gaps, and validating business ideas.
      • Assist in developing or refining structured business models using relevant business plan methodologies.
      • Facilitate networking through peer learning and engagement with fellow incubates and mentors for idea exchange.
    • Month 2: Capacity Building & Prototyping 
      • Support skill development through workshops on financial literacy, marketing strategies, digital branding, and operational efficiency.
      • Assist participants in product/service prototyping by testing minimum viable products (MVPs) and refining them based on feedback.
      • Organize legal and compliance sessions covering company registration, taxation, and regulatory requirements in Nepal.
      • Connect participants with RU experts for one-on-one mentorship.
    • Month 3: Business Growth & Investment Readiness 
      • Conduct sessions on financial management, pricing strategies, budgeting, cost structures, and funding opportunities.
      • Provide training on sales and marketing strategies, including digital marketing, customer acquisition, and branding.
      • Deliver investment pitching workshops to help startups prepare business pitches for investors and grant opportunities.
      • Support pilot testing and feedback collection by implementing products/services in realmarket scenarios for further refinement.
    • Month 4: Demo Day & Post-Incubation Support 
      • Organize a final pitch day where startups present their business ideas to a panel of RU experts and the project team.
      • Facilitate connections between startups, local businesses, government agencies, and industry networks.
      • Conduct a graduation event and develop an exit strategy, evaluating progress and creating sustainability plans.
      • Provide post-incubation support, including seed fund mobilization, as per the GCRU project’s plan.
      • Select the top five business ideas from the cohort for the 2025 incentives program and facilitate seed fund distribution.
Target Groups/Beneficiaries
  • The project plans to establish/upscale 26 RU enterprises in Pokhara from 2025-2028. RU enterprises transform waste either through recycling or upcycling. The project envisions supporting those existing entrepreneurs alongside the aspiring/potential RU entrepreneurs who might have ideas to turn into a scalable business by utilizing different fractions of waste. Both potential and existing entrepreneurs are the direct targeted beneficiaries of the business incubation program.
Key Deliverables 
  • By August 30, 2028, over 100 RU-related business ideas will be selected through a competitive application process and advanced into the business incubation program, which includes Ideation & Business Model Refinement, Capacity Building & Prototyping, Business Growth & Investment Readiness, Demo Day, and Post-Incubation Support.
  • By August 30, 2028, four distinct business incubation programs will be conducted, leading to the development and operationalization of 26 RU enterprises.
Eligibility Criteria
  • All experienced and interested Not-for-Profit Company/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Community based Organizations (CBOs) are requested to submit their RFI.

For more information, visit UNDP.