Consulting Services To Strengthen And Accelerate Young Entrepreneurs Through A Virtual Coaching Program At FSC Indigenous Foundation

Alliance of Indigenous Peoples for Rights and Development – ​​IPARD

Cooperation Agreement No. 7200AA20CA00013

REQUEST FOR CONSULTING SERVICES

CONSULTING SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN AND ACCELERATE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH A VIRTUAL COACHING PROGRAM

1. BACKGROUND

Organization Description

In 2019, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) established the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) as the operational office of the Indigenous Peoples Standing Committee (PIPC). FSC-IF is a private interest foundation in accordance with Law No. 25 of June 12, 1995 of the Republic of Panama. The mission of FSC IF is to create an enabling environment to guarantee the rights of Indigenous Peoples and promote sustainable forest-based solutions within the planet’s 300 million hectares of Indigenous forests. The vision is that the global values ​​of Indigenous Peoples, their rights, livelihoods, ecosystem services, natural capital and territories are recognized and incorporated into forest governance, climate change governance and market systems.

Alliance of Indigenous Peoples for Rights and Development

FSC-IF is the implementing partner of the Global Alliance for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Development Program – IPARD – funded by USAID and FSC. IPARD is made up of three objectives:

• Objective 1 : Organize and convene a Capacity Building Program for Indigenous Peoples organizations and stakeholders;
• Objective 2: Foster an environment conducive to the recognition, effective participation and joint decision-making of Indigenous Peoples on matters that affect them, and;
• Objective 3: Promote the sustainable development of Indigenous Peoples based on sustainable economic models.

IPARD uses three interconnected approaches to support Indigenous Peoples to overcome their development challenges:

1. Multi-Sector Approach (MSA): Under the strategic guidance of the IPARD Steering Committee (SC), IPARD convenes and leverages the expertise of multi-sector actors. This approach ensures that IPARD takes into account the needs of indigenous communities across a wide range of sectors. Building on the MSA, IPARD brings diverse technical partners to support cross-sector projects that achieve the program’s development objectives.
2. Country Centered Approach (CFA): IPARD’s programmatic strategy is guided by a country approach driven by specific national contexts related to Indigenous Peoples. IPARD implements a structured process to identify, evaluate and select countries to implement the program.
3. Indigenous Project Management Approach (IPMA): Building on FSC IF’s relationships with Indigenous leaders and organizations around the world, IPARD seeks ongoing dialogue, consultation and feedback with Indigenous Peoples to advise the program. IPARD supports a forum through which the FSC Indigenous Foundation serves as a bridge between Indigenous Peoples, technical partners, national governments and the private sector. IPARD invests in selecting best practices, approaches and effective methodologies to ensure the strategic cohesion of multi-level partnerships.

Through these three approaches, IPARD aims to empower Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and catalyze an enabling environment in which Indigenous Peoples can continue to develop.

FSC Indigenous Foundation

We are Indigenous Peoples; Our strategies and our future actions are shaped by ancestral knowledge, practices, worldview, values ​​and respect for Mother Earth and our past. We, as FSC-IF, are providers of Indigenous-based solutions, and our ancestral knowledge and traditions have driven Indigenous-based solutions for centuries. We are Indigenous Peoples; We own Indigenous-led solutions to global challenges, and the FSC Indigenous Foundation is the global vehicle to design, manage, facilitate and scale Indigenous-led solutions through multi-sector partnerships. The FSC Indigenous Foundation has an indigenous perspective driven by indigenous values, vision, principles, ancestral knowledge and traditional practices connected to Mother Earth. FSC-IF is formed to respond to the key challenges and opportunities that Indigenous Peoples face to achieve their self-development, self-governance and self-sufficiency. Driven by this perspective, our way of operating differs from traditional organizational planning because our cultural and traditional way of thinking, acting and interacting does not fit into a predetermined Western tradition of thinking, organizational management or governance.

We are committed to working driven by our values ​​of being guided by and supporting the values ​​of Indigenous Peoples of: 1) Respect for Mother Earth Manage our lands, waters and ecosystems with great respect for nature and care recognizing that we only borrow them from future generations and 2) Respect for ancestral knowledge Keep our promises to our ancestors to manage nature and the resources provided by Mother Earth in a sustainable and respectful way.

B) CONTEXT

The IPARD Program implemented by the FSC-IF focuses on capacity development and aims to support the empowerment and strengthening of Indigenous Peoples. To support Indigenous leaders, the FSC-IF has established the Indigenous Scholarship Program. The Program is a leadership-based award for scholarships aligned with IPARD’s three goals, designed for Indigenous Peoples leaders passionate about creating meaningful change for their communities around the world.

The Indigenous Scholarship Program will provide Indigenous leaders with the tools, experience, knowledge and capabilities to better support their communities, as well as the support mechanisms necessary to advance their goals and priorities.

This year, we selected 9 scholarship recipients who will be divided into the following 4 subprograms:

– Subprogram 1: Young Indigenous Professionals (2 months of experience working in the FSC-IF office with an IPARD Program Manager)

– Subprogram 2: Indigenous Leadership and Networking (2 months of experience with the FSC family partner network in Canada, Mexico or Germany)

– Subprogram 3: Indigenous Capacities (short-term training sponsorship of 6 months to 1 year)

– Subprogram 4: Business Development (capacity development of young entrepreneurs through business training, a business management program and initial financing of USD $3,000).

The first 3 subprograms will be carried out internally by the FSC-IF and this consultancy will be for the implementation of subprogram 4.

3 ventures were selected for this subprogram:

1. A company dedicated to the design, manufacturing and production of Embera Wounaan crafts in Panama directed by a 23-year-old Indigenous woman.
2. A mushroom production and agricultural waste recovery project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo led by a 29-year-old Indigenous youth.
3. An initiative to develop tourism in an Indigenous community in Colombia, preserving and sharing cultures, creating networks and business partners in Colombia designed by a 25-year-old Indigenous youth.

C) OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

General objective

Strengthen 3 Indigenous ventures led by young entrepreneurs from Panama, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, taking into account the socio-cultural context and incorporating Indigenous perspectives.

Specific objectives

1. Support the consolidation and promote the acceleration of 3 Indigenous ventures led by young people through a virtual coaching program, which incorporates Indigenous perspectives and the sociocultural context
2. Guide young Indigenous entrepreneurs in the implementation of seed capital of $3,000 in 6 months following coaching that will contribute to long-term self-development, the Indigenous self-sufficiency of their companies and generate a greater impact in their communities.
3. Monitor and support the implementation of knowledge and execution of seed capital.

Illustrative activities:

The consulting company or consultant will carry out the following activities ensuring the Free, Prior and Informed Consultation (FPIC) protocols defined throughout the process in coordination with IPARD:

1. Diagnosis and analysis of the 3 Indigenous companies, value proposition and their business plans for their strengthening, considering the perspectives of the Indigenous Peoples and their socio-cultural context
2. Based on the diagnosis, design a strengthening plan through a co-creation process with Indigenous youth and the IPARD Program to incorporate their worldview, values ​​and ancestral knowledge (prioritization of the actions to be carried out with the support and seed capital).
3. Design and implement a training and strengthening plan to: 1) improve the business skills of Indigenous youth; and 2) consolidate and promote the acceleration of their businesses with a cultural focus and Indigenous traditions, which may include adjustment of the value proposition, strengthening of the business model, marketing and communication strategy and pitch construction.
4. Connect Indigenous entrepreneurs with other programs or opportunities at the national level, prioritizing access to financing and markets.
5. Carry out a strategy to monitor the implementation of knowledge and seed capital and how it generates a greater impact in the communities where the companies are located.
6. Prepare a lessons learned report with key findings and recommendations on how to support Indigenous youth-led businesses.

Note on activities:

Activities 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be carried out in 2 months.

Stage 5 is carried out during the 6 months of seed capital implementation.

Stage 6 is carried out at the end of the consultancy (after 8 months).

The consultant or consulting firm does not have to travel to the communities. Everything will be made virtual and IPARD supports the costs of interpretation during virtual coaching if necessary.

Expected deliverables:

1. Work plan for the implementation of the consultancy with details of the activities, programs, timeline and products that will be delivered.
2. Diagnosis of each of the 3 Indigenous youth companies and the corresponding strengthening, acceleration and investment plan with the seed capital provided by IPARD. These documents must have been agreed upon with the young people participating in the project.
3. Report on the results of the training and the links made with other programs and opportunities, especially with the financial and commercial sector. The report must include results on the following 1) Methodology, tools and materials used 2) Results 3) Satisfaction survey delivered by the IPARD team 4) Improvement of knowledge (pre and post test designed by the consultant).

Likewise, it must include for each strengthened company:

• Formulated and/or adjusted Value Proposition
• Business plan
• Marketing and communication plan
• Pitch
• Identification of possible financing mechanisms that you can access for your sustainability

1. Final report with the lessons learned and the main results of the project, including the progress of supporting the execution of the seed capital delivered. This report should focus on identifying the particularities of working with Indigenous Peoples’ companies in each country/territory, guidelines for carrying out similar work with other Indigenous Peoples’ companies.

Technical and financial proposal:

The offeror must include a technical proposal with a clear schedule of activities, timeline and products to be delivered. The financial proposal must include a budget, explaining each item (including the logistical expenses to develop the activities). All financial proposals should include taxes where applicable and explicitly note them in the budget.

Profile of the consultant or consulting firm to hire:

1. Professional or interdisciplinary team that includes professionals in social sciences, economics, with at least 5 years of experience working in entrepreneurship, economic empowerment of youth, including projects with Indigenous youth. Additional training in commercial law or related law will be an advantage.
2. Experience of at least 5 years implementing projects to strengthen ventures and businesses in Latin America and/or Africa. Experience in supporting micro-businesses or companies in the solidarity sector will be valued.
3. Proven track record of working with Indigenous Peoples in Latin America and/or Africa.
4. Previous experience working with international organizations and donors is desirable.
5. Demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diversity of values, points of view and approaches on issues relevant to the FSC-IF and Indigenous Peoples.
6. Solid oral and written communication of the team in Spanish, and preferably in French

Applications must include the following documents:

1. Candidate/team CV including descriptions of relevant responsibilities (not just the job title).
2. Technical proposal that includes activities to be carried out and the schedule.
3. Financial proposal that includes an explanation of the budget items.

How to apply:

Send your CV, technical proposal and financial proposal to the FSC IF email address: procurement.fscif@fsc.org no later than the due date indicated in this post and with the subject “Support in the formalization of young Indigenous entrepreneurs” .

Coordination:

The hired professional will coordinate the expected work with the Capacity Development and Inclusion Program Leader, who will coordinate with the rest of the IPARD Program and FSC-IF team.

Deadline for submission of proposals:

2 weeks

Conditions for payment of deliverables:

Deliverables must be authorized by the IPARD Program Director to proceed with other internal approvals and payments. All products must be delivered in digital format in Spanish in accordance with the expected activities detailed above and the following schedule and payment percentages.

Deliverables

Paid

1. Work plan and methodology to implement the project

20%

1. Diagnosis of the 3 companies and the corresponding strengthening and acceleration plan

20%

1. Report on the results of training (virtual coaching) with its annexes

40%

1. Final report with lessons learned and main results of the project

20%

Duration of assignment:

Eight months from the signing of the contract (two months of strengthening and six months of monitoring the implementation of the seed capital), but it is possible to complete the consultancy in less time as long as all the deliverables are presented.