About SELCO Foundation:

SELCO Foundation has been established with a mission of achieving rural development and conservation of the environment by promoting the use of sustainable energy. The Foundation from past ten years have been working on field-based R&D work and have developed various models, processes, in sectors of basic energy access, health, education, livelihoods, financial inclusion, built environment which can be replicated and scaled up to bring in social inclusivity and equity in the nation. To know more about SELCO Foundation, visit www.selcofoundation.org.

About Built Environment

The aim of the built environment program is to democratize access to design of liveable habitats to address poverty and climate challenges in a climate-stressed world by integrating energy optimization through an ecosystem approach. Underserved communities are usually at the receiving end of the worst impacts of climate change coupled with improper ventilation, natural lighting and thermal conditions; the cost of building resilience and comfort is generally high. The overall energy performance of built environments is influenced by people, units and climate. Hence, innovations need to integrate energy optimization in the application of technologies and the environment of built spaces.

Summary of the project:

The program is focused on developing solutions that enhance and empower the lives and livelihoods of microentrepreneurs in vulnerable communities, with a particular emphasis on urban women.

By leveraging energy-efficient solutions and decentralized renewable energy, the initiative aims to implement livelihood solutions that incorporate solar-powered technologies, sustainable building practices, and climate-smart strategies.

Goal

The "Saura Café" initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate clean energy, sustainable design, and dignified livelihoods for women-led retail and service businesses like tea shops/eatery etc.

The goal of the project is to create a climate-smart model of an eatery unit that is user-centric, inclusive, modular, scalable, and visually engaging—striking a balance between climate sensitivity, functionality, and futuristic appeal.

Objective

The café is envisioned as a compact 8ft x 8ft solar-powered DIY unit offering tea, coffee, and light refreshments.

The project scope focuses on:

• Making the design of the structure lightweight and modular using a DIY assembly method.
• Creating the appropriate layout and interiors suited to the functionality.
• Use of Climate Durable and climate smart Building products /materials in the design of the unit.
• Integrating passive cooling strategies into the design (keeping this in mind, while active technologies may be suggested if appropriate)
• Ensuring integration clean energy, resource efficiency that minimizes environmental impact.
• Ensuring the design is suitable for operation by women and individuals with physical disabilities.
• Creating options based on material and system.

Selection Criteria:

The technical proposal will be evaluated based on the following general areas:

• All relevant files, including editable versions of the deliverables, need to be provided by the Agency/Company.
• The proposals submitted by the prospective Consultant / Agency will be evaluated and examined by an expert in-house committee. The final selection will rest with the competent authority of the SELCO Foundation.
• Eligible Interested Consultant / Agency are requested to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) with all supporting documents as indicated in eligibility criteria.
• Consultant / Agency having good domain knowledge on developing design collaterals and project management.
• The financial proposal will be evaluated based on expertise, cost, lead-time, and proposed payment terms.

To apply

Interested individuals, with relevant experience (please include portfolio and links of relevant work) are requested to reach out with a Statement of Purpose giving a brief on how the opportunity aligns with their goals, including budgets (with break-ups and explanation), timelines and milestones and submit the same to google form https://forms.gle/fER4CgmNR9BELN7q9 on before 20th July, 2025 at the email procurement@selcofoundation.org with the Subject matter ‘Architectural design and Implementation Consultancy for Saura Cafe’

To download the full ToR, click here: Architectural design and Implementation Consultancy for "Saura Cafe”