UNDP: Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management (Zimbabwe)

Deadline: 02-Jul-21

UNDP is calling for proposals for Strengthening Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management to mitigate development challenges associated with biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change consequences.

The Project has four components, and these are:

• Strengthening capacity and governance frameworks for integrated wildlife and forest management and wildlife and forest crime enforcement in Zimbabwe;
• Strengthening Zimbabwe’s Project Area estate and CAMPFIRE Wildlife Conservancies in areas of global Biodiversity significance;
• Mainstreaming Biodiversity and Ecosystems management, and climate change mitigation, into the wider landscape; and
• Knowledge Management, M&E and Gender Mainstreaming. ZVBP is being implemented under the National Implementation Modality (NIM) through which the MECTHI is the Implementing Partner (IP).

Thematic Areas

The objective of this Call for Proposals is to invite NGOs and CBOs to submit proposals for innovative projects to be implemented in Muzarabani on any one of the following thematic areas:

• Thematic area 1: Awareness and Education: Awareness campaigns targeting Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT), deforestation and climate change adaptation and mitigation. This thematic area contributes to output 1.6 of the ZVBP
  • Under this thematic area, applicants are being invited to submit project proposals that have innovative project approaches for conservation awareness and education. The ZVBP project seeks to pilot new innovations, technologies, and methodologies that are more effective and transformative in promoting conservation awareness and education in the project area. Some of the recommended activities for thematic area 1:
    • Support of environmental clubs, education camps and Climate Smart Gardens for school children living in the target conservancies and adjacent areas to PA estate.
    • Publication of brochures and booklets for local communities on criminal and administrative responsibilities and penalties for poaching, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging and mining.
    • Publications of best practices and success stories on CBWM, Sustainable Land Management, Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Forest Use.
    • Involvement of traditional leaders and chiefs in outreach programmes for local communities on sustainable wildlife and forest use.
    • Regular publication in local newspapers news on the project progress and activities.
    • Radio and TV translation of interviews with environmental and conservation leaders.
    • Targeted environmental education programme for government officials of RDCs in the project area.
    • HWC prevention tools and strategies
    • Innovation to implement awareness activities whilst adhering to Covid-19 guidelines
• Thematic Area 2: Livelihood Enhancement: Sustainable livelihood activities that contribute directly to community based SFM, SLM and HWC management outcomes. This thematic area contributes to output 3.2 of the ZVBP
  • Under this thematic area, applicants are being invited to submit project proposals that have innovative project approaches to promote sustainable livelihoods activities. The ZVBP project seeks to also pilot new innovations, technologies, and methodologies that are more effective and transformative in promoting sustainable livelihood activities that address community based SFM, SLM and HWC management in the project area. Some of the recommended activities for thematic area 2:
    • Sustainable livelihood projects to increase the capacity of communities to manage SFM, SLM, and HWC and develop of sustainable biodiversity friendly sources of income.
    • Climate-Smart and Water-Smart Agriculture, including community gardens, fuel wood (bamboo) plantations, indigenous tree nurseries, alternative ways of tobacco curing
    • Extension services from public and private sector for smallholder farmers in the supply of locally essential horticulture products.
    • Sustainable use of woodlands, including beekeeping, mopane worms’ production, tourist guiding, souvenir production, grass cutting, NTFP and forest produce value chain, and sustainable livestock grazing and livestock feeding.
    • Basics of small business development, including business planning, marketing, and management.

Funding Information

• Thematic Area 1
  • Amount:  USD $25 000.00
  • Duration: Up to 1 year
• Thematic Area 2
  • Amount:  USD $150 000.00
  • Duration: Up to 2 years per project

Target Beneficiaries

• Target beneficiaries/groups for project activities comprise of the following:
  • Community members and Local authorities, in the target CWCs (men, women, youths, People Living with Disabilities (PLWD), indigenous and vulnerable communities/groups)

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible grantees are registered NGOs/CBOs that have demonstrated competences and experience in working with local communities in promoting sustainable livelihoods, environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• The attached template of UNDP Request for Information (RFI) from local CSOs/NGOs will be used to assess eligibility. Preference will be given to locally registered NGOs/CBOs, although International NGOs can apply.

Required Competencies

• Technical and administration staff
• Proof of registration as an NGO/CBO including copies of registration certificate and constitution or another governing document
• Bank account: Grantees will be required to open a separate bank account for the project
• Demonstrated experience in the chosen thematic area
• In depth knowledge and experience in setting up local community development initiatives
• Demonstrated experience and capacity to establish partnerships with local authorities, private sector and CBOs would be a distinct advantage
• Project vehicle and other assets an added advantage

For more information, visit https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=78119