1. Introduction

The “Sustainable forestry and efficient renewable energy for improved livelihood” (SFERE) project aims to strengthen the resilience of forest landscapes and dependent communities to climate change. The specific objective is to improve livelihoods by increasing sustainable biomass production for cooking, utilizing improved cookstoves, and strengthening value chains.  

The project is structured along three key result areas:  

The interventions will be structured in three areas. For each of these areas, a result has been formulated as follows:

• Result 1: restoration and SFM plantations for sustainable biomass production through community engagement in PFMUs. The intention is to increase the area of productive and well-managed tree plantations for biomass production.

• Result 2: increase of the use of improved cookstoves and of sustainable biomass in urban and peri urban areas. The aim is to apply a push and pull approach in the clean cooking fuel and ICS value chains to catalyze the supply and demand side, respectively.

• Result 3: increase and diversification of income, as well as better connection to value chains, of smallholder farmers in and around PFMUs. The ambition is to increase and diversify the incomes of smallholder farmers to accompany the transition to sustainable biomass production.

As part of the implementation of its activities in the western province (Rutsiro and Rubavu Districts), the “Sustainable Forestry and Efficient Renewable Energy (SFERE)” seeks to recruit an economic operator or a consortium to carry out the Capacity building for rural farmer group leaders in and around PFMU on group dynamics, leadership, financial literacy and cooperative management

2. Objective and expected results of the contract

The primary objective is to empower smallholder farmers organized in cooperatives by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to strengthen group cohesion, enhance leadership and governance, improve financial management, and adopt sustainable business practices.

Expected results of this tender are the following:

a. Cooperative Maturity Profiling

• A detailed maturity profile will be developed for each of the 40 PFMUs and 10 Agri-livestock value chain farmer cooperatives.
• The profiling approach and methodology will be documented and shared to ensure transparency and consistency in evaluating each cooperative’s development stage.

b. Strategic Business Development

• All supported cooperatives will formulate a solid business development strategy, including a clear vision and a five-year strategic plan beyond the project’s duration.
• At least half of cooperatives are expected to advance to a higher maturity level during the project period, demonstrating measurable progress toward sustainable growth and operational resilience.

c. Improved Practices and Service Delivery

• Through targeted group dynamics and cooperative management training, cooperatives will adopt improved operational practices aligned with best standards and sustainability principles.
• Internal service delivery systems will be strengthened to enhance the quality and efficiency of services provided to cooperative members.

d. Access to Markets and Finance

• Supported cooperatives will gain access to new markets, broadening their sales channels and diversifying income sources.
• Through targeted financial literacy training and improved financial management, cooperatives will become more capable of securing external financing, contributing to their long-term viability.

3. Eligibility and Requirements

Interested and eligible candidates are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) confirming their willingness and availability to participate. Submissions must include the application form duly completed and the supporting documentation demonstrating compliance with the selection criteria below:

a) Legal status:

• Copy of valid company/NGO registration certificate.
• Copy of valid tax clearance certificate.

b) Financial capacity:

• Copies of audited financial statements for the last three years, demonstrating an average annual turnover of at least EUR 150,000.

c) Technical capacity:

• Evidence of at least three (3) contracts or donor-funded assignments successfully completed since 2020, of comparable nature and complexity.
• References or completion certificates should be attached.

4. Submission modalities of expression of interest

Interested partners are invited to apply by completing the EOI Application Form, available as an annex below (click the link to download).

Once downloaded and duly completed, your Expression of Interest (EOI) should include the following documents:

• A filled and signed EOI Application Form
• A copy of a valid company/NGO registration certificate (for all companies/NGOs in a consortium)
• A copy of a valid tax clearance certificate (for all companies/NGOs in a consortium)
• Audited financial statements for the last three (3) years (for all companies/NGOs in a consortium)
• At least three (3) references or completion certificates for similar assignments (for all companies/NGOs in a consortium)

The complete EOI dossier must be submitted by email to the following address: Jitendra.sinha@luxdev.lu, copy to procurement.rwanda@luxdev.lu no later than 30/10/2025 at 17.00 PM (Kigali time).

A Shortlist Selection Committee will meet to analyse the expressions of interest received on the basis of the documentation provided and draw up the list of candidates who will take place in the restricted consultation.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full offer