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 Develop Agriculture and Livestock Value Chains for SFERE project in Rubavu and Rutsiro.

Objective and expected results of the tender

The primary objective is to identify and develop scalable pilots in agricultural and livestock value chains that have the potential to significantly increase the income of smallholder farmers in Rutsiro and Rubavu Districts, in areas around PFMUs.

 Expected results of this contract are the following:

• Identify scalable high-potential value chains based on local conditions, farmer preferences, and market demand.
• Enhance upstream productivity through access to quality inputs, equipment, and production practices while also improving downstream market access by aligning with the needs of buyers (wholesalers) and end consumers.
• Address key bottlenecks (e.g., low productivity, lack of access to quality inputs, post-harvest losses, lack of storage, etc.) to enhance profitability.
• Promote inclusive participation of local communities, particularly women and youth and ensure at least 1,000 farmers are integrated in the selected value chains with the support of the project.
• Develop sustainable business models and market linkages, including contract farming and agri-livestock value chain opportunities, to ensure long-term income generation, with at least 60% offarmers successfully commercializing products from targeted value chains through project support
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for scaling successful value chains and fostering a favorable environment for private investment.

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 180,000.

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.

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