Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Mentors: Sustainable Packaging Program and Green Business Accelerator Program

Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Mentors: Sustainable Packaging Program and Green Business Accelerator Program 

1. Introduction 

Center for Research and Sustainable Development Nepal (CREASION) is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 2005. Since it was founded, CREASION has been a leader in environmental protection in Nepal through recycling, research, emergency response, grassroots and circular economy related interventions. CREASION also houses innovative, impact-based projects as well as a learning center for youth. The organization is centered around three thematic areas: Environmental Sustainability, Youth Empowerment, and Emergency Disaster Response.  

GreenShift: Circularity of Plastic Waste for Net-Zero Carbon Nepal (GreenShift Nepal) project is funded by the European Union to promote a just transition to a circular economy. GreenShift Nepal is a four-year project that will be implemented in nine municipalities – three in each of Bagmati, Madhesh, and Lumbini provinces. The project implementation is led by CREASION through the consortium partners Restless Development, and Youth Innovation Lab (YI-LAB). GreenShift Nepal works with waste enterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Civil Society Organization (CSOs) of waste workers, youths, school - children, and three tiers of government in the promotion of a circular economy of plastics.

CREASION invites individual experts under the GreenShift Nepal project which aims to promote transition to a circular economy project to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to support a mentorship program as a mentor aimed at strengthening 33 green innovators and enterprises. Under this project, the Sustainable Packaging Program and the Green Business Accelerator Program are designed to support innovative, environmentally sustainable enterprises and ideas. These enterprises as part of the mentorship focus on promoting environmentally friendly businesses and developing sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging.

The initiative seeks to build the capacity of participating enterprises by supporting them in prototype development and refinement, business planning, market linkages, branding, and access to new opportunities. It also aims to foster the development of sustainable, eco-friendly products that contribute to environmental conservation and advance the principles of a circular economy.

2. Objective

The primary objective of the mentorship program is to:

• Support green entrepreneurs and innovators in transforming ideas into viable enterprises 
• Strengthen business, technical, and entrepreneurial skills 
• Enhance innovation in sustainable packaging and green business solutions 
• Facilitate market linkages, networking, and growth opportunities 
• Prepare mentees for pitching, grant utilization, and business scaling

3. Key Focus Areas

The mentorship program will work in the following areas: 

• Idea and Product Development 
• Business and Entrepreneurship Skills 
• Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy
• Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment 
• Social Inclusion and Ethical Business (GESI)
• Compliance and Impact Measurement
• Pitching and Communication Skills
• Marketing and Branding 
• Training and capacity Development 
• Financial Management and Fund Utilization

4. Scope of the Mentorship Program

The mentorship program is a voluntary program where selected mentors will mentor the selected enterprises and innovators for a total of 9 months starting from May 2026 to January 2027. Total 33 mentors will be selected for the mentoring of the 33 mentees or the business ideas, i.e., under sustainable packaging and green business accelerator program. 

• Duration: May to January 2027 (9 months) 
• Total Mentors required:
  • 13 for Sustainable Packaging Program 
  • 20 for Green Business Accelerator Program 
• Total: 33 mentors supporting 33 business ideas

5. Mentoring Structure: 

The mentorship program will be done in two phases. 

5.1. Phase I (May–July): Idea refinement, Develop Prototype & Expo Day preparation

Phase I covers a three-month period during which mentors will support selected entrepreneurs in refining their ideas, developing prototypes, and preparing for the Expo Day. During this phase, 33 selected entrepreneurs will work on improving their concepts and building prototypes through their own investment, while receiving continuous guidance from mentors.

Mentorship will be provided through both virtual and in-person sessions, depending on mutual convenience. Mentors will maintain regular coordination with their assigned entrepreneurs to address challenges and provide technical and strategic support. A minimum of 10 structured mentoring sessions will be conducted between each mentor and mentee throughout Phase I.

By the end of Phase I, entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas and showcase their prototypes at Expo Day, where their concepts and outputs will be evaluated. Based on this pitching and evaluation process, five enterprises will be selected to advance to Phase II, two from the Sustainable Packaging Program and three from the Green Business Accelerator Program.

For entrepreneurs who are not selected for Phase II, the formal mentorship engagement will conclude at the end of Phase I.

5.2. Phase II (August–January): Business incubation & scaling

In Phase II, five selected entrepreneurs from the Expo Day will progress further and become eligible to receive project grants. Among them, two entrepreneurs from the Sustainable Packaging stream will receive a grant of NPR 700,000 each, while three entrepreneurs from the Green Business Accelerator Program will receive a total grant of NPR 574,000 each. The grants will be disbursed on a milestone basis over a period of six months.

The allocated funds will be used for business scaling, branding, and marketing activities. During this phase, mentors will support entrepreneurs in conducting market linkage analysis, strengthening networking opportunities, refining products, and completing market assessments in line with the agreed milestones and timeline.

Minimum engagement: 

• At least 10 sessions per phase (20 sessions total) 
• Sessions can be virtual or physical

6. Mentorship Approach 

The mentorship model will include:

• One-to-one mentoring (primarily for Sustainable Packaging Program) 
• Group mentoring sessions 
• Peer learning among mentees 
• Flash mentoring sessions with sectoral experts

7. Roles and Responsibilities of Mentors

Mentors will: 

Commitment to the mentorship program spans the full duration from May 2026 to January 2027 and includes a minimum of 20 mentoring sessions. This is not a full-time engagement; mentors are expected to contribute their time flexibly based on their availability and in coordination with the assigned mentees or entrepreneurs.

• Conduct at least 20 mentoring sessions 
• Guide mentees in: 
  • Business planning and strategy 
  • Product development and innovation 
  • Market linkage and networking 
  • Pitch preparation for Award Day 
• Provide constructive feedback and motivation 
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism 
• Participate in program events, trainings, and reviews

8. Financial Clauses

This mentorship program is voluntary in nature. Mentors engaged under both the Sustainable Packaging and Green Business Accelerator Programs will contribute to their services without financial compensation and will not receive any financial remuneration in the first phase. Only the five mentors who will be continuing in Phase II who will be supporting five business ideas will receive financial remuneration. They will also be formally recognized for their contribution through a certificate of appreciation and an official letter of acknowledgment issued by CREASION for their valuable time and support in mentoring green entrepreneurs and innovators.

9. How to Apply:

Interested individual experts are requested to apply by emailing their application to greenshift@creasion.org with the subject line: “Mentors Application for Sustainable Packaging and Green Business Accelerator Program.”

Applicants must include the following documents in their email:

• Application Letter 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Legal Documents (Citizenship Copy and PAN) 
• Experience Certificates

10.  Application Deadline: 

Interested individual experts must submit their applications by April 30, 2026,  end of day (EOD).