Terms of Reference: Feasibility Study for the project proposal

Terms of Reference

Feasibility Study for the project proposal

Project title: Youth-led climate resilience and climate protection in Sudurpaschim Province

1. Introduction of Welthungerhilfe

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in Germany operating in the humanitarian assistance and development fields. It was established in 1962, as the German section of the “Freedom from Hunger Campaign”, one of the world’s first initiatives aimed at the eradication of hunger. Welthungerhilfe’s work is still dedicated to the following vision: All people have a right to a self-determined life in dignity and justice, free from hunger and poverty.

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has been operational in Nepal since 2012, and it is currently managing different projects in twelve districts under seven thematic areas (sectors): Humanitarian Actions, Agriculture, Climate Reliance and Natural Resource Management, Nutrition & Health, WASH, Economic Development, Civil Society Empowerment and ICT4D. WHH works partnership with civil society in Nepal to empower socially marginalized and economically poor citizens, to strengthen their resilience and to ensure their right to adequate food and nutrition through a systems thinking approach.

Welthungerhilfe believes that achieving zero hunger is only possible through a systemic transformation of food systems. Such systems ensure food and nutrition security for all by providing diverse and inclusive pathways to access the right to food. Achieving this goal requires coordinated transformational change at national, regional, and local levels. Welthungerhilfe, together with its partner organizations, is actively working and advocating for this change to build sustainable and resilient food systems across all levels.

2. Background of the proposed project

Bajhang, a remote and mountainous district in Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Increasingly erratic rainfall, landslides, flash floods, melting glaciers and decreasing snowfall have intensified over the past decade, severely affecting agriculture-based livelihoods, food security, and access to water and increased force migration to neighboring and other countries.  A powerful 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Bajhang on 3 October 2023, followed shortly by a 6.3 magnitude aftershock. These seismic events have increased the risk of landslides, exacerbating the district’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters. According to the National census 2021 report, around 96% of households depend on traditional biomass for energy production, which is exacerbated by deforestation. Climate-induced disasters have disproportionately impacted marginalized and rural communities, including youth and women.

Due to erratic and decreasing snowfall patterns in the district, the cropping pattern has been changing in the mountainous regions and the water sources are being depleted. It affects the food and nutrition security of households, as well as biodiversity of the region.

Despite being among the most affected, youth in Bajhang have limited opportunities for meaningful engagement in climate action. Lack of awareness, education, and resources restrict their involvement in adaptation of local climate efforts. However, youth possess a strong potential to act as change agents due to their energy, adaptability, and connection to communities.

3. Objectives and tasks

3.1. Overall objective of the feasibility study

The objective of the feasibility study is to provide WHH Nepal with a well-founded basis for the further development of the project concept by clarifying the pre-requisites, opportunities and risks and providing information on how to improve/optimize to design a project proposal. The study will assess the technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, and institutional feasibility of the proposed project and systematically check the extent to which the project approach can plausibly achieve the planned changes under the existing framework conditions.

The study will assess the current situation on impact of climate change in food system, mitigation and adaptation measures/strategy adopted by community people and local government, engagement of youth and women in climate change areas. Further, the study will explore existing policies and programmes of local and provincial governments related to climate change, food system and youth.

Overall, the study should analyze the situation and context, the problems resulting thereof and the target groups and stakeholders, at micro, meso and macro (national) levels, elaborating specific recommendations for the design of the project. The feasibility study will be used by WHH Nepal team and the identified implementing partner/s as an important tool for drafting the project proposal, thus close consultation with WHH and the partner/s at every step is required.

3.2. Tasks assigned to the selected consultant

The consultant is responsible for planning and implementing the feasibility study, including forming and leading the feasibility study team. In particular, the consultant is responsible for:

1. Preparing a detailed study design including timeline, methodology, research techniques, sample used, etc. The consultant shall present the feasibility study design and planning to WHH team for approval.

2. Describing the context of the planned project at all relevant levels (micro, meso, macro), including any essential data relevant to understanding the present situation. The elaboration of context and problem analysis should include but not limit to:

• What is the impact of climate change on the local food system in the targeted area?
• What adaptation and mitigation practices are currently used by local communities to address climate change impacts? And how?
• What additional measures can be recommended to enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation in the local food system?
• What government rights and entitlements exist in the proposed project area, and do communities have access to them? What barriers hinder access? Do municipalities have relevant plans and policies on climate change and youth engagement? Are they equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills?
• How do the existing national frameworks (e.g., LAPA, NAP, National Youth Policy) align with the proposed project objectives?
• How can youth be effectively engaged as change leaders in climate change adaptation and mitigation?
• What is the reformative approach to addressing the impact of climate change in the food system? 
  • Stakeholder mapping (governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, local authorities, CBOs,) including their interests, position, influence. What potential contributions can be expected from the identified actors? How should be developed the collaboration/coordination? (meso/macro)
  • Identify the key market area in the target project location and analyze the key market actors that have potential to enable youth employment and enterprises development.
• What does the socio-economic, political, and cultural context look like?
• Are there other donors/implementing organizations working on above mentioned areas? If yes, how is it possible to develop synergies and coordination and collaboration?
• What factors would support the sustainability and scaling-up of youth-led climate action initiatives?

3. Developing a detailed socio-economic target group analysis, including but not limited to: 

• Do the proposed target groups align with the local context and existing vulnerabilities? If so, why? Which groups are most vulnerable, and how should the project prioritize them?
• What criteria should be used in the selection of the target group? 
• Are there multiple target groups affected differently by the identified issues? How?
• What are the specific needs of the target groups, and how can the project effectively address them? 
• What is the role of the target group(s) within the broader social context? Could the project support create conflicts between target and non-target groups or among other stakeholders?
• What is the capacity of the target group(s) for ownership, self-initiative, self-help, and local problem-solving? 
• Are communities, civil society organizations, local institutions, and authorities willing to engage with and support the proposed project?
• What are the current migration trends and patterns? Are there youth who are interested in remaining in the area?

4. Elaborate CBOs analysis, including but not limited to:

• How many community-based organizations (CBOs) and networks are currently active in the proposed area? What types or categories of CBOs and networks exist? What are their major strengths and areas to improve? Are any of them engaged in climate change or youth-related initiatives? If yes, who are their partners and what is the nature of their collaboration?

5. Completing a detailed risk analysis including political, socio-economic, logistical, financial, environmental risks and mitigating actions that lie within the project's scope.

6. Elaborating concrete suggestions and recommendations to be incorporated into the project based on the main findings and assessment, such as:

• Which components, if any, are missing in the project concept to make the cause-effect relationships more coherent and to sustainably achieve the planned objectives?
• Which planned components are not suitable or could have negative effects, and for what reasons? 
• Which findings and relevant data of the study are suitable to be integrated into the project proposal?

4. Methodology

The methodology design of the feasibility study will be proposed by the consultant and approved by WHH, but it should comprise a combination of: 

• Literature review (Global, regional and national context, in-depth analysis of existing policy of Government, reflection in periodic plans, commitments, major innovations and initiative from Federal, provincial or local Government)
• Qualitative data collection and analysis (KIIs and FGDs with community, target group and concern stakeholders at all levels)
• Field observations.

The choice of methods must take into account the needs and capacities of the different target groups and stakeholders. The persons to be interviewed/consulted are representatives of the different stakeholders to be involved in the project, including Local and province government, thematic officers (agriculture, health & nutrition, climate change), local representatives, and target groups such as marginalized women, Dalit, landless HHs, youth, CBOs etc.  The consultant will lead the feasibility study with regular coordination and consultation with WHH Nepal and its implementing partners, ensuring compliance with ethical data collection standards and safeguarding protocols.

5. Geographical scope

The feasibility study is to be undertaken for a project that will be implemented in 2 municipalities in Bajhang district.

6. Deliverables

• An inception report including a detailed design and work plan for the elaboration of the feasibility study (see 3.2 “Tasks assigned to the selected consultant”)
• Draft report in English (max. 30 pages + annexes) and presentation to WHH 
• Participate in a design workshop to share the findings of the study.
• Final report, including executive summary, in English (max. 30 pages + annexes), no later than 5 days after receiving comments on the draft report. (Open to feedback twice before finalization of the report)  
• Debriefing meeting with WHH after submission of draft report with detail presentation
• Submit 2 pager extract of the feasibility study report.

7. Timeline

The consultancy duration is 45 days and study should be completed (that is, the final report should be submitted within this timeframe). The draft report should be submitted before 9 September 2025 with presentation slides.

8. Qualification and experience required.

The consultant or team of consultants must meet the following criteria:

• Master or equivalent advanced degree in social sciences, geography, environmental science, or other relevant academic fields.
• Excellent track record in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research, analysis, feasibility studies and evaluations with focus oon climate change, biodiversity, food system and youth. 
• Knowledge of the local context in Sudurpaschim or prior experience in Bajhang will be an added advantage.
• Require understanding of youth engagement approaches in climate action.
• Ability to conduct high quality research, meet deadlines and respond to requests and feedback provided timely and appropriately.
• Flexible, independent and good communication skills. 
• Excellent spoken and written English. 
• The consultant is required to liaise regularly with WHH Nepal team and its partners and is expected to deliver results in a timely manner.

9. Submission of proposals

The interested and qualified consultant/ consulting firm must apply by 17:00 hours (COB) dated 6 August 2025 via email address given below (subject of the email “Feasibility Study- Climate Change Bajhang”) Email: procurement.nepal@welthungerhilfe.de The proposal should include the following documents:

1. Letter of expression of interest (EoI) signed by the main applicant. 
2. Detailed technical proposal including methodology (Literature review:- in-depth analysis of existing policy of Government, reflection in periodic plans, commitments, major innovations and initiative from Federal, provincial or local Government; methods of data collection, analysis, samples of experience/studies of similar nature, etc.), composition of the feasibility study team and their roles (this should include detailed information about capacity of the team/person to carry out the objectives of the consultancy, clear description of role and responsibilities within the team, expected time dedicated to the assignment).
3. Implementation Plan following the attached format (Annex 1)
4. Detailed financial proposal that must include an estimate of all staff costs (calculated for fees based on number of consultancy days) as well as direct costs related to the consultancy including travel, hotel, etc. (Annex 2).
5. Firm profile detailing the past assignments (at least two feasibility report as a sample copy)
6. Detailed curriculum vitae of the consultant and of all team members, if any, highlighting their areas of work and experience
7. Company registration certificate
8. Latest tax clearance certificate
9. VAT registration certificate (for both firms and individual consultants).
10. Signed supplier declaration form

Please go through the link below to download the Supplier Declaration form:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1mF1KsdArY4DQzogca8ZjSB3BZLmIFvyt

Please note that the selected consultant/ consulting firm should adhere with WHH data protection and other relevant policies during the assignment.

For any queries or concerns, please contact us at procurement.nepal@welthungerhilfe.de at least by 17:00 hours (COB) dated 4 August 2025.

You can find the additional reference documents in this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nZ_6K8eywT07O6eWUx__V_nuEcaoag_I?usp=sharing

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further evaluation process. Welthungerhilfe Nepal reserves all the rights to reject any or all application without assigning any reasons.

Annex 1: Implementation Plan

Annex 2: Budget