Value Chains and Climate-Resilient Farming for Communities around Protected Areas, Eastern and Western Highlands – Letter of Agreement

Value Chains and Climate-Resilient Farming for Communities around Protected Areas, Eastern and Western Highlands – Letter of Agreement Request for EOI Description The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Papua New Guinea invites eligible non-commercial entities to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to support local communities within and around Protected Areas in Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands provinces. The work covers strengthening value chains for sustainably harvested products and making financial and market support mechanisms available to forest and farm producer organizations, under Component 2.1 of the FAO GEF-7 project. Eligible entities include non-governmental organizations, civil society and community-based organizations, academic and research institutions, and government institutions. The selected entity will be engaged through a Letter of Agreement (LoA). Commercial entities are not eligible. The assignment covers 10 clusters of National Parks, Provincial Parks, Wildlife Management Areas and Community Conservation Areas: Eastern Highlands: Hogave, Veltoge, Natauka-Zamu, Crater Mountain, Mt Gahavisuka Western Highlands: Oimbo, Mt Muld, Mt Giluwe, Kuk EAWHS, Baiyer River WS It has four main outputs: A review of farming and forest use systems, with gender-disaggregated analysis, identifying at least 10 gender-sensitive, biodiversity-friendly and climate-resilient practices. At least 1,000 farming families, organized into 20 farmer groups, implementing improved farming and forest management systems. This includes training, 10 demonstration plots, distribution of climate-resilient seeds, planting materials and hand tools, and 100 hectares of forest restoration and agroforestry. Value chain assessments and 10 value chain improvement plans, validated through provincial stakeholder workshops. 10 bankable business plans developed and implemented to establish viable small-scale farm enterprises. To qualify, entities must: be a legally registered non-commercial entity not be suspended or debarred by FAO, any other UN organization, the EU or the World Bank have at least three (3) years of demonstrated experience working in the project target area(s) have an established and operational office in the project target province(s) submit a duly completed response form Entities that pre-qualify may be invited to submit a proposal within four (4) weeks of FAO’s notice of prequalification. Proposals will be assessed throug