RFP - CSR funding for projects in the focus area of Climate Smart Livelihoods

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About the Organization

SBI Foundation (SBIF) was incorporated to bring all the CSR activities of the State Bank Group under one umbrella and contribute to the efforts made by the State Bank Group to support and uplift the underprivileged sections of society. The focus areas of SBIF are Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship, Education, Environment, Sports, Rural Development, Healthcare, Disability & Inclusion, and Women Empowerment. So far, SBIF has impacted the lives of more than 30 million beneficiaries through its various CSR initiatives and aims to continue improving the socio-economic well-being of society, particularly of the less fortunate and underprivileged members, and enable them to live up to the potential that they all possess.

About the Proposal

SBI Foundation’s work through its flagship program, SBIF LEAP - Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme’, is geared towards achieving the UN SDG 1 ‘’No Poverty” and SDG 17 “Partnership for Goals” for eradicating poverty in all forms.

The SBIF LEAP program works primarily in the following 5 themes:

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

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

Scope of Work

The proposed projects under the theme of ‘Climate Smart Livelihoods’ will be part of the SBI Foundation’s program SBIF LEAP: Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program.

Since 2020, the LEAP (Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Accelerating Program) vertical has been working to promote climate-smart and sustainable livelihoods in India’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Through strategic collaborations with grassroots organizations SBIF has implemented pilot initiatives that focus on community-led resilience building and eco-regenerative practices. These pilots have demonstrated scalable and replicable models for enhancing community resilience and well-being.

In FY 2025-26, LEAP (Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Accelerating Program) has expanded its scope to include climate-smart livelihoods as a central theme, with a focus on building resilience in vulnerable communities across hilly regions and coastal zones. This year, LEAP aims to address the pressing challenges of climate change adaptation by promoting sustainable resource management, eco-friendly agricultural practices, diversified livelihood models, and community-driven climate resilience. The program will engage youth, women, and marginalized groups in climate-vulnerable regions, empowering them through green technologies, sustainable agriculture, eco-enterprises, and climate adaptation strategies.

Preferred project locations States are as under:

Arunachal Pradesh

• Assam
• Bihar
• Chhattisgarh
• Jharkhand
• Mizoram
• Odisha
• West Bengal

Preference will be given to the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks listed by NITI Aayog, under the above-mentioned states. Organizations are suggested to select up to 3 districts or blocks. Minimum number of beneficiaries: At least 1,000–1,500 direct beneficiaries per region, with a strong emphasis on youth, women, and marginalized groups.

The proposed projects must align with the below-mentioned framework.

Project 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 climatesmart 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 empanelled/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.

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)

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; Sustainable Farming Models; Water Resource Management.
• Diversified Livelihood & Green Enterprise Development: Livelihood Diversification; Enterprise and Infrastructure Support; Market and Financial Linkages.

Targeted Outcomes of the Project:

• Increased Yields: 50% increase in yields of resilient crops (drought-tolerant, millets, pulses).
• Adoption Rate: 70% of farmers using resilient crops and indigenous seed systems.
• Training Impact: Number of youths, farmers, and CRPs trained in climate-smart agriculture.
• Institution Strengthening: Number of nano/micro enterprises and CIGs formed or strengthened.
• Livelihood Diversification: 25% of beneficiaries engaged in activities like beekeeping, aquaculture.
• Income Growth: Double income increases from diversified livelihoods in 3 years.
• Market Linkage: 60% of enterprises and CIGs linked to markets, government mandis, e-commerce platforms, etc.
• Tool Adoption: 80% farmers using mobile advisories and digital tools.
• Risk Reduction: 30% reduction in crop losses through adoption of emerging technology based early warnings and notifications.
• Monitoring Systems: 70% of regions implementing real-time MIS for climate tracking.
• Increased Resilience: 70% of households reporting improved resilience to climate shocks.

Eligibility

The Agency should be a non-profit organization/trust/society registered in India.

Project Proposal:

• Alignment with ‘SBIF LEAP: Climate Smart Livelihoods’ framework.
• Clear and concise details of the proposed solution, implementation plan and outcomes.
• Innovation in the project.
• Risk-mitigation measures.
• Comprehensiveness of the Log frame & Project timelines.
• Project Monitoring & Evaluation Process.
• Proportion of admin and overhead costs, in comparison to the total project budget.
• Project exit strategy & sustainability of the solution.

Experience:

• 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.

The Agency shall be rejected if:

• 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.

How to Apply

Last Date and Time for submission of proposals: 19th June 2025

Place of Submission of Proposals (Online Submission only):  sbifleaprfp@sbifoundation.co.in

Soft copies to be sent by 19th June 2025 with subject line “SBIF LEAP RFP <NGO NAME>”

Only Shortlisted NGOs will be contacted and they shall be required to submit Hard copies at a later date.

Address: SBI Foundation, Shop no. 35, The Arcade, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400005

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Livelihood Rural Development Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)