Facilitation of co-created agroecology pilots

Facilitation of co-created agroecology pilots

1. Background 

About Fastenaktion

Fastenaktion (FA) is a Swiss development organization that has been active in Nepal for more than two decades. Currently, Fastenaktion collaborates with 11 NGO partners. It’s work in Nepal focuses on strengthening the right to food of the most marginalized segments of society through the promotion of agroecology, solidarity-based approaches, and people-led advocacy. The programme’s geographical focus is primarily on the Karnali region.  Grassroots Consulting (GC) is a Nepal-based consultancy firm mandated by Fastenaktion to coordinate the Nepal Country Programme, functioning as the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU).

Country Program Nepal

Fastenaktion - Country Programme Nepal operates in direct partnership with 11 Partner organizations mainly working in remote parts of Karnali using community empowerment and agroecology as an approach to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable food system, and the realization of the right to food for all.

The Country Program (CP) is guided by a Theory of Change that assumes lasting improvements in food and nutrition security for the most marginalized and vulnerable communities will occur when women and men adopt agroecological practices, marginalized groups are empowered and well organized, and community groups, together with CSOs and NGOs, effectively advocate local governments for agroecology, social inclusion, and gender equality.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to co-design, facilitate, and operationalize a structured co-creation process, that brings community, civil society (i.e. partner organizations) and science/ knowledge holders together leveraging their respective unique knowledge and experience. This process shall enable partner organizations to collaboratively identify, develop, and pilot innovative solutions to priority “burning issues” such as income generation, women-friendly technologies, and other locally relevant agroecological challenges. The consultancy will strengthen shared understanding, methodological clarity, and practical capacity for co-creation among project stakeholders.  

The consultancy is divided into two main phases and specific objectives of each phase are as below:  

Phase I

• Design a conceptual and operational framework for co-creation tailored to suit the contextual needs of Partner organizations and the Country Programme in Nepal.
• Facilitate a participatory process to build shared understanding of co-creation and refine the framework based on stakeholder (PCU, Partners and Community) feedback.

Phase II

• Identify key thematic areas and strategic partners for pilot initiatives.
• Identify and engage relevant knowledge partners and/or facilitators aligned with agreed thematic priorities.
• Facilitate the design and implementation of 2–3 co-created pilot initiatives with selected partner organizations.
• Document the overall co-creation process, key learnings, emerging results, and recommendations for scaling and institutionalization within the Country Programme.

3. Methods and process

The consultant will adopt a participatory, iterative, and learning-oriented approach throughout the assignment. The process will combine desk-based review, structured consultations, collaborative reflection, and practical experimentation to ensure both conceptual clarity and operational relevance. 

1. Inception and Planning

The assignment will begin with an inception phase to clarify expectations, refine the scope, agree on timelines, and confirm priority thematic areas. An inception notes outlining the proposed approach, process steps, and deliverables will be submitted for approval. The inception report will focus mainly on Objectives 1-2. Objectives 3-6 shall be elaborated briefly and further deepened if the assignment is continued after phase I.

Phase I

2. Review and Analysis

A focused review of relevant global and regional experiences on co-creation, collaborative innovation, and agroecological experimentation will be conducted. The review will identify key principles, success factors, risks, and practical models that can inform the Nepal context.

3. Drafting the Co-Creation Framework

Based on the review and programme context, the consultant will develop a draft conceptual and operational framework on co-creation in agroecology. The framework will define co-creation in the programme context, outline guiding principles, clarify roles and responsibilities, describe process steps, and propose criteria for selecting and supporting pilots.

4. Participatory Validation and Refinement

The draft framework will be presented to partner organizations and relevant stakeholders for discussion and feedback. Through structured consultations and collective reflection processes, a shared understanding of co-creation will be developed, and the framework will be refined to ensure ownership and feasibility.

Phase II (if the assignment will be continued to this phase)

5. Identification of Key Thematic Areas and Strategic Partners

Building on Phase I findings and consultations, the consultant, in close collaboration with the PCU will identify and prioritize key thematic areas for co-creation pilots. Strategic partners, including partner organizations, community actors, and stakeholders will be mapped and selected based on relevance, capacity, and alignment with programme objectives.

6. Identification of Knowledge Support

Based on the agreed thematic priorities, the consultant in close collaboration with the respective PO will identify potential knowledge partners and/or thematic facilitators. Criteria for selection and modalities of engagement will be proposed to ensure technical depth and relevance.

7. Facilitation of Co-Created Pilots

The consultant together with the concerned PO will facilitate and guide the design and initiation of 2–3 co-created pilot initiatives. This will include supporting joint problem analysis with all relevant stakeholders, including the community, idea generation, role clarification, action planning, and risk assessment. The emphasis will be on collaborative decision-making and practical innovation.

8. Documentation and Learning

Throughout the process, systematic documentation will be ensured. This will capture key decisions, reflections, challenges, emerging results, and lessons learned. A final process document will synthesize the framework, pilot experiences, and recommendations for scaling and institutionalizing co-creation within the Country Programme.

4. Qualifications of consultant

The consultant should possess an advanced degree in development studies, social sciences, organizational development, innovation, or a related field, with at least 7–10 years of relevant professional experience. Demonstrated expertise in co-creation, participatory processes, and process facilitation is mandatory.

The consultant should have proven experience in designing frameworks, leading consultations, and synthesizing global and regional practices into practical guidance. Strong analytical, documentation, and report-writing and process facilitation skills are required. Prior experience working with local NGOs, marginalized groups, understanding of agroecology, community empowerment is expected.

5. Budget 

The consultant will quote the days needed and rates for the study. A more detailed budget is expected for phase I and preliminary indications for phase II. Food, accommodation and travel costs are covered by Fastenaktion based on actual cost. Their estimation should be included in the budget.

6. Hiring process

Submission of tenders

The following documents are required to be submitted:

• A cover letter, including understanding of ToR, how the consultant meets the required qualifications
• A narrative proposal clearly explaining the understanding of the ToR, process, methods and team composition (Detailed one for Phase I and rough ideas for Phase II).
• A tentative budget including a detailed breakdown of the expected working days and daily fees. Refer to template.
• CVs of the consultant/s or profile of the organization (maximum 4 pages)
• A reference of similar work/assignments (final reports of assignments)

Please find the link for the detailed TOR

Submit completed applications with the e-mail title “Application Co-created pilots” to fastenaktion.nepal@gmail.com  by 28 June 2026. Discussions/Interview with shortlisted candidates will take place thereafter. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed.