RFP invited from Implementing Agencies for Community Empowerment Programme under Responsible Mica Initiative

Mica Context

Mica is a group of minerals that can be found in a large variety of consumer goods and industry materials, from automotive and electronic components to pigments, paints, cosmetics and construction materials. About 25% of the world production of mica comes from illegal collection in North-East India, where more than 20.000 children are working in extremely harsh conditions to contribute to their family revenue (https://www.terredeshommes.nl/en ). Due to a lack of control and traceability, mica from unknown origin – potentially collected by children or in unacceptable working conditions – can infiltrate the supply chain. Impactful solutions have been developed in India over the past 10 years, initiated by local NGOs, ingredient manufacturers and leading cosmetic companies and several other partners. In this context, different organizations from all over the world decided to join forces and scale-up models and solutions that have proven successful. Altogether, they created the Responsible Mica Initiative in early 2017 (www.responsible-mica-initiative.com).

About Responsible Mica Initiative

The Responsible Mica Initiative is an organization in which multiple industries & organizations jointly commit to using responsible sourcing practices and local engagement to eradicate child labor and improve the livelihood of communities within a compliant and legal mica supply chain in India over the next 5 years (2018 – 2022).

This Do-Tank is inspired by the following 5 overarching principles:

“Think holistic; Be action oriented; Stay humble; Include innovation; Collaborate above all”,  

And pursues the following 3 main interconnected objectives: -

• Increase traceability and implement fair, responsible and sustainable practices along the Indian mica supply chain,
• Empower local communities to ensure long lasting change resulting from the implementation of inclusive and holistic empowerment programs,
• Build a legal and livable environment for local communities by working hand-in-hand with the Indian government and other local authorities.

Selection process

Required general information, applicant as well as (if applicable) co-applicants –

• Name(s) of the organization(s),address, contact, website
• Organization(s)’s key mission(s) and expertise(s)
• Geographical presence and organization

Required documents –

Applicant as well as (if applicable) co-applicants

• Document assessing legal registration and name
• Document assessing legal address o Financial information
• Organization presentation

Project proposal, based on Format in Annexes, mentioning at least the following

• Activities description along with targeted groups
• Team involved, along with individual expertise, experiences, roles, location o Partners involved & roles
• Timeframe for implementation
• Capacity for implementation and potential scalability
• Assessment and reporting process
• Associated budget

Track record (References / case studies)

• Experience in mica mines area (seniority, number of led projects, number of mines / villages / persons concerned, obtained results, number of people of the organization already present in the area, …).
• Experience in on-field coordination of several NGOs / CSOs o Experience in other regions of India, in other mining activities, …

Timing & selection process –

• Publication of the Call for Proposals: December 1st, 2017 –
• Deadline for raising questions to RMI (contact@responsible-mica-initiative.com ): December 20th, 2017
• All questions posed in advance of the formal proposal submission will be anonymized, aggregated, responded to, and sent to all applicants on the principle of equity.
• Deadline of submission (contact@responsible-mica-initiative.com ): December 31st, 2017
• Proposals’ review and shortlisting, including clarifying questions, validation of information and capacity assessment of project applicants: January 1st – January 31st, 2018
• Final selection: February 15th, 2018.
• Partner contracts for the first 9 months of the project will be signed latest by March 15th, 2018 - Projects will start on April 1st, 2018.

For detailed RFP, please check the Link