Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy Services

Scoping study: Evaluating the Structure and Opportunities of VDVKs in Strengthening the NTFP Value Chain

 

Title	Evaluate the structure, gaps, and opportunities of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in strengthening the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) value chain.s
Timeline	2 months
Expected area of expertise	Research and Analysis, Data Collection and Synthesizing, Analytics based recommendation, Sustainability and Climate/ Livelihoods, NTFP
Apply Link	https://forms.gle/xWnEN3UddcECjMUf7 (Contact Procurement for Form Link)
Last Date for Apply	07th January, 2025

Overview

Call for proposal: Research and Documentation

Focused Geography: Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Assam

Researchers and Agencies can apply for one state only to ensure state-specific focus and analysis. Agencies can apply for 2 states if they can provide details of separate state teams.

About SELCO Foundation:

SELCO Foundation’s mission is to create a platform of solutions that uses sustainable energy as a catalyst to bridge environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation. With holistic development as the primary focus, the organization strives to create equitable societies, where services are accessed by all communities. The interventions of SELCO lead to a sustainable delivery model of essential services like livelihoods, education, and health till the last mile. (Read more about SELCO here: http://www.selcofoundation.org/)

Background:

SELCO Foundation is actively exploring opportunities within the NTFP value chain. The aim is to develop climate smart solutions and build an ecosystem that enhances localized processing, diversifies household incomes, reduces drudgery, and ensures accessibility for forest-dependent communities. VDVKs have been identified as a pivotal structure supporting NTFP-based livelihoods and tribal communities. This scoping study will analyse their current operations, identify challenges, and explore opportunities to strengthen their role in the NTFP value chain. These insights will guide SELCO Foundation's interventions in the sector

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are a critical source of livelihood for over 300 million forest- dependent individuals in India, particularly tribal communities. NTFPs contribute nearly 70% of forest product income for tribal households. The Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), launched in 2018, aims to strengthen tribal micro-enterprises by establishing VDVKs. To date, over 50,000 VDVKs have been set up across 27 states, engaging 300,000 tribal gatherers.

Goal and Objective: Goal:

VDVKs function as community-managed centres facilitating the collection, processing, and marketing of NTFPs. Despite their potential, they face several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited technology adoption, financial constraints, and weak market linkages. This study aims to evaluate the structure and functioning of VDVKs and identify ways SELCO Foundation’s climate smart solutions can integrate with these centres to enhance their operational capacity and impact on PVTGs and other tribal/ forest dwelling communities.

Objective:

• Map all VDVKs in the study geography, their activities, and alignment with NTFP development
• Understand the current structure, governance, and operational strategies, of VDVKs, and interministerial processes.
• Identify and prioritize key NTFP value chains managed by VDVKs based on geography, village, or community.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping, including government bodies, NGOs, CBOs, MFIs, and FIs, and their ongoing interventions linked to NTFP activities with VDVKs.
• Analyse the gaps, challenges, and opportunities within the VDVK ecosystem, focusing on operational efficiency and value chain development.
• Provide actionable recommendations for integrating SELCO’s goals into VDVK priorities

and activities.

• Analyse the PMVDY policy and its implementation impact

Scope of the study

Focused Geography: Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Assam 

To apply

Interested consultants / organisations, with relevant experience (please include samples and/or references of the previous similar work as proof of experience) and based out of India are requested to reach out with a detailed proposal giving a brief on the methodology and the process they will uptake for this project, including budgets (with break-ups and explanation), timelines and milestones and submit the same to google form https://forms.gle/xWnEN3UddcECjMUf7 on before 07th January, 2025.

Any further queries please write to procurement@selcofoundation.org with a subject line: “Research and Documentation in Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in strengthening the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) value chain” (Name of Project)

To download the full ToR, click here

Tags Environment and Sustainability Livelihood Solar Energy Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)