EoI - Business Scoping Study - Identification of profitable livelihood commodities and Value Chain Analysis

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About the Organization

Trickle Up is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those in extreme poverty, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups such as women, people with disabilities, indigenous communities, and refugees across the Americas, Africa, and India. Since 1979, we have worked tirelessly to help individuals build resilient livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty. Committed to eradicating extreme poverty by 2030, our vision is a world free from such hardships. We aim to reach 5 million people, supporting 1 million ultra-poor women to exit extreme poverty by 2030 through partnerships with local organizations, global institutions, and governments. In India, where we began our work in 1983, we have supported over 150,000 ultra-poor women in 22 districts across Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Our approach focuses on generating evidence, learning, and influencing key stakeholders to adopt effective strategies, including integration with government programs like the National Rural Livelihood Mission. We collaborate closely with government partners at various levels to ensure that the poorest individuals benefit from available services and support. With a commitment to quality and scalability, Trickle Up continues to strive for impactful change in the lives of those in extreme poverty.

About the Proposal

Trickle Up is seeking Expression of Interest from reputable research agencies, academic institutions, and consulting firms to conduct product/enterprise identification, comprehensive assessment of the product/enterprise and perform Value Chain analysis for group enterprises for ST population especially PVTGs in four districts of Jharkhand: Gumla, East Singhbhum, Saraikela, and Dumka. The primary focus is on fostering group enterprise development among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) communities around the identified products. This initiative aims to identify suitable market-linked activities that align with the seasonality, availability, and year-round market demand of goods that would be produced. The Value Chain Analysis will pinpoint optimal sales channels and market opportunities for these products with a target to diversify the livelihoods of the targeted population and enhance their income.

Objective of the Assignment:

To conduct an assessment for the identification of profitable product/enterprise for the PVTG populations in four districts - Gumla, East Singhbhum, Saraikela, Dumka of Jharkhand, evaluating the feasibility, profitability and adaptability by the PVTGs and identifying key stakeholders in the value chain.

Scope of Work

Product Identification:

• Identify and list potential products viable in each district, focusing on those with economic potential and relevance to PVTG communities.

Feasibility Assessment:

• Conduct a detailed feasibility study for selected products to assess their viability for commercial exploitation by PVTG communities.
• Evaluate factors such as scope of value addition, market demand, supply chain, logistics, resource availability, and environmental sustainability.

Profitability Analysis:

• Design a logical comprehensive business plan
• Perform a profitability analysis for the identified products, considering capital investment, raw materials, production costs, market access & price, competition, potential revenue generation and risks.
• Prepare financial projections and cost-benefit analysis to determine the economic viability of each product in the business plan.

Stakeholder Identification:

• Identify and map major stakeholders involved in the identified value chain, including producers, collectors, processors, traders, and buyers.
• Assess their roles, capacities, and potential contributions to the sustainable development of identified products/enterprises involving PVTG communities.

Recommendations:

• Product Selection and Prioritization: Identify and prioritize specific products or services that are in high demand, have a shortage in the market, or show potential for growth. Consider factors like market feasibility, production capacity, and alignment with the skills and resources of PVTG individuals or groups.
• Market Entry Strategies: Provide recommendations on how to enter and establish presence in the identified markets. This may include strategies for production, distribution, pricing, and promotion.
• Market Linkages: Recommend strategies for establishing and strengthening linkages with existing key market players, such as wholesalers, retailers, or other value chain actors. This could involve negotiating contracts, forming partnerships.
• Capacity Building and Training: Provide recommendations for the scope of capacity-building to enhance the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of PVTG groups involved in the production or provision of the selected products or services.
• Technology Adoption: Recommend the adoption of relevant technologies or digital platforms that can facilitate production, marketing, and sales activities. This may include e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, or other digital tools.
• Policy and Regulatory Considerations: Highlight any policy or regulatory factors that may impact procurement of raw materials, production, packaging, market access and recommend engagement strategies to address the issues.
• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with market entry and provide recommendations for mitigating these risks. This could include contingency planning, insurance options, or alternative strategies.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected:

Inception report - The inception report includes design & methodology i.e. concepts/approaches/strategies, suggested data capturing tools, work plan and timeline for the successful completion of the assignment.

Draft report and presentation

• The report should at least include the following sections:
• Front page with the title of the research, date and authors of the report.
• A table of basic document information
• Executive summary that presents the key points of the different sections
• Background, objectives and intended use of the research
• Methodology and limitations
• Details of Findings
• Conclusions and recommendations
• Relevant annexes, to be included in the report such as:
• List of people interviewed or consulted
• Bibliography of the documents reviewed
• A detailed power point presentation along with the full draft Report is required to be shared and presented to Trickle Up before finalization.

Final report

• The final report needs to integrate, apart from the points mentioned above, findings, recommendations, and comments from all the relevant stakeholders along with the tools utilized.
• The report will be considered final only after incorporating feedback provided by Trickle Up.

Along with the Report & PPTs, the Agency/ institution will submit Trickle Up India Foundation, the following:

• Electronic copies of all data sets.
• All quantitative and qualitative data (completed questionnaires, recorded interviews, focus groups, etc).
• Any other documents that will be used or collected during the consultancy.

Eligibility

• The applicant agencies/ institutions should have proven experience of conducting similar assignment in Government of India/ State Governments/ International donor project/ World Bank Projects/ other.
• Familiar with research and knowledge of particularly vulnerable tribal groups, ultra-poor, women empowerment, entrepreneurship development and value chain identification.
• Significant experience in conducting and designing research framework, use of participatory techniques, and monitoring and evaluation.
• The lead researcher should have at least 10 years of experience in particularly vulnerable tribal communities, market assessments, local economic development, value chain analysis & development, strategic planning, etc.
• The agency/ institution should have familiarity with socio economic scenario of Jharkhand.

How to Apply

Please submit your EoI letter & Proposal through e mail to dkumar@trickleupindia.org not later than 10 days from publication of this Request for EoI. Only shortlisted agencies will be contacted for presentation.

Last Date of submission: 11th July 2024  

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