Request for Proposals: Climate Smart Livelihoods (India)

Deadline: 14-Jun-25

The SBI Foundation invites proposals seeking funding under SBIF LEAP: Climate Smart Livelihoods.

SBIF intends to engage non-profit organizations registered in India for funding projects in the thematic area of Climate Smart Livelihoods. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to invite potential grantees with a proven track record to implement projects in Climate Smart Livelihoods.

Focus Areas

• The focus areas of SBIF are Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship, Education, Environment, Sports, Rural Development, Healthcare, Disability & Inclusion, and Women Empowerment.

Scope

• Baseline & Planning: Climate vulnerability mapping, agro-ecological profiling, traditional knowledge documentation, and socio-economic assessments.
• Capacity Building: Training SHGs, youth, farmers, and community resource persons on climate smart agriculture, NRM, regenerative practices, and enterprise development.
• Demonstration & Livelihoods: Model plots for resilient crops, indigenous seed banks, water harvesting, renewable energy tools, alternative livelihood and integrated livelihoods (e.g., aquaculture, NTFPs).
• Technology Integration: AI-based early warnings, digital MIS, mobile advisories, and market access tools only empaneled/patented/approved technologies (ICRISAT, ICAR, MoRD, etc.).
• Convergence & Policy Alignment: Integration with key schemes (MGNREGA, NRLM, PMKSY, RKVY, etc.), collaboration with government line departments, and model replication guidelines.
• Monitoring & Knowledge Sharing: Real-time tracking, impact assessments, and dissemination of success stories, toolkits, and IEC materials.

Themes

• Micro-Entrepreneurship
• Integrated Livestock Development
• Setting up Community Institutions
• Innovators for Bharat- Promoting Startups
• Skilling for Future
• Climate Smart Livelihoods

Type of Climate Smart Livelihoods Program

• The livelihood program shall be designed to cater to the demand of the targeted locations. Organizations are encouraged to apply for only 1 component (Climate resilient Agriculture & Horticulture or Diversified livelihoods & Green enterprise development). A broad list of activities are listed below:
  • Climate-Resilient Agriculture & Horticulture:
    • Promotion of Indigenous and Resilient Cropping Systems:
      • Indigenous seed systems and community seed banks
      • Salt- and drought-tolerant crop varieties
      • Millets, pulses and medicinal herbs suited to regional agro-climatic zones
    • Sustainable Farming Models:
      • Agroforestry, silvi-pasture, and spring rejuvenation
      • Integrated farming systems and organic farming
      • Agro-horticulture interventions such as WADI model and multi-tier farming
    • Water Resource Management:
      • Region-specific interventions like rainwater harvesting, solar enabled irrigation system (drip/sprinkler/etc.)
      • Coastal farming systems incorporating mangroves and salt-tolerant paddy varieties
  • Diversified Livelihood & Green Enterprise Development
    • Livelihood Diversification:
      • Promotion of non-farm and allied activities such as:
      • Beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, eco-tourism
      • Livestock management, coastal aquaculture, fishery development
      • NTFP value chains and forest-based micro-enterprises
    • Enterprise and Infrastructure Support:
      • Setup of agro-processing units, bio-fertilizer production, and solar dryers
      • Community-owned infrastructure vermicomposting pits, nurseries, cold chains, and solar powered units
    • Market and Financial Linkages:
      • Value chain integration and digital platforms for market access

Funding Information

• The budget for a proposal should be in the range of Rs. 50.00 Lakhs to Rs. 5.00 Cr. for a support period of 1-3 years starting this Financial Year.

Target Beneficiary Group

• Small and marginal farmers in vulnerable geographies
• Tribal communities and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
• Landless farmers
• Women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PwDs)
• Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Joint Liability
• Groups (JLGs), and Common Interest Groups (CIGs)

Eligibility Criteria

• The NGO should have a minimum of 3 years of existence on the date of publication of this RFP.
• The NGO should have a minimum of 3 years of overall work experience in the proposed thematic area and should have a presence in the proposed state.
• The NGOs having demonstrated capability to improve measurable outcomes to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the intervention will be preferred.
• The Agency must have a proven track record of designing and implementing climate smart livelihoods in the mentioned areas/regions.
• The NGO must have completed at least 3 assignments/projects of a similar nature funded by a Public sector/Govt. Organizations/Central/State government authority/ Foundations.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The cumulative annual revenue of the organization for the last 3 financial years is less than Rs. 2.00 Crores (For project proposals between 50 Lakhs to Rs. 1.00 Cr) / Rs. 5.00 Crores (For project proposals above Rs. 1.00 Cr).
• It has political or religious associations.
• It fails to furnish the due diligence documents mentioned in Annexure II.
• The number of board members is less than 3.
• The number of permanent employees is less than 5.
• Individual donors are among the top 3 donors.

For more information, visit SBIF.