EOI for Establishment of Tof-based Enterprise Incubation Centres (TBEICs) in the State of Tamil Nadu Under Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program

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About the Organization

The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry – ICRAF (also known by the brand name ‘World Agroforestry’) is a Centre of scientific excellence that harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment. Leveraging the world’s largest repository of agroforestry science and information, we develop knowledge practices, from farmers’ fields to the global sphere, to ensure food security and environmental sustainability. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, ICRAF operates six regional programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America and conducts research in more than 30 other countries around the developing world.

About the EOI

To leverage India's economic growth and demographic advantage, targeted efforts for skill development and facilitation for rural youth/entrepreneurs.

A robust entrepreneurial ecosystem of Trees Outside Forests (TOF)-based products presents significant income and employment opportunities in decentralized settings that are much needed to promote planting and nurturing of various trees in areas outside the official forest lands. However, to meaningfully engage young entrepreneurs in setting up Tree Based Enterprises (TBEs) requires training, guidance, and mentorship.

To achieve this objective it is proposed to establish seven (7) TOF-based Enterprise Incubation Centres (TBEICs) under the Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI) Program, a joint initiative by USAID and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India, led by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). The TOFI Program aims to expand the area under trees outside forests for the benefit of livelihoods and the ecosystem across seven states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. The seven proposed TBEICs, strategically located in various TOFI States, shall be developed as models for nationwide replication.

The proposed TBEICs are aimed at facilitating development and growth of TBEs by enhancing technical and business skills of promising potential entrepreneurs desirous of setting up TBEs through technology familiarization, business planning and incubation support, finance and insurance linkages and marketing & branding facilitation. TBEICs will also work towards significantly de-risking the process of setting up a TBE by providing facilities for conducting trial manufacturing runs by aspiring entrepreneurs for a variety of products at nominal cost prior to investing in capital assets.

The following facilities are envisaged to be set-up in the TBIECs:

• Wood Conversion and Value Addition Facility
• TOF Based Product Residue Value Addition Facility
• Non-Wood TOF Products Value Addition Facility
• Nesting Facility for Incubatees
• Product and Process Testing Facility

Funding Needs and Envisaged Co-funding Arrangement:

Establishing and operating each TBEIC for the 4-year duration of TOFI Program is estimated to cost about Rs. 2 Crore (20 Million). TOFI Program will support each TBEIC up to a maximum of Rs. 1 Crore (10 Million) with a matching upfront contribution of minimum INR 1 Crore (10 Million) coming from institutions desirous of hosting TBEIC in association with TOFI Program. This envisaged contribution from host institution shall be in the form equipment and machinery as per TBEIC framework, 4000 SQ feet space installing various equipment, and 2500 Sq. Feet office space for meeting needs of incubatee organisations. TOFI funds shall be utilisable to cover training expenses as per targets and indicators associated with TBEIC in TOFI Program framework.

How to Apply

Please submit your expression of interest to Procurement-icrafsouthasia@cifor-icraf.org

Last Date of Submission: Expression of interest shall be received on, or before, 6th April, 5 PM IST. Only those applicants, whose EoIs are prima-facie suitable for and aligned with TOFI Program needs, shall be contacted for further details.

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Skill Development Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others