Terms of Reference (ToR) for Research on Climate Change and Disability

Terms of Reference (ToR)

For the Study on

“Understanding the Social Impact of Climate Change on Young Persons with Disabilities and Their Engagement in Climate Action in Nepal”

1. Background

Climate change is increasingly being recognized not only as an environmental crisis but also as a deep social justice issue, with disproportionately adverse effects on already marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities. In the context of Nepal, the intersection of climate vulnerability and disability remains underexplored despite growing risks posed by extreme weather events, rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, and disasters such as floods and landslides. These challenges severely affect persons with disabilities, who already face barriers in accessing infrastructure, education, health services, mobility, and livelihood opportunities.

Emerging studies in Nepal have highlighted that persons with disabilities often experience restricted access to safe water, sanitation, shelter, and public services during emergencies. Over 85% of surveyed individuals with disabilities reported being unaware of or unable to access early warning systems. Climate change has also been found to exacerbate barriers to healthcare, education, and participation in disaster preparedness activities. Additionally, social protection mechanisms often fail to respond adequately to the compounding effects of disability and climate vulnerability.

Despite such evidence, there is still a lack of comprehensive, disaggregated, and youth-centered data on how climate change is experienced by young persons with disabilities, and to what extent they are included in decision-making processes. Most existing studies are limited by geography, demographic scope, and rarely address the leadership potential of youth with disabilities—an important and growing constituency in both the climate justice and disability rights movements.

In response to these gaps, the project 'Climate Change Resilience and Inclusive Futures: Empowering Persons with Disabilities for Dealing with the Social Impact of Climate Change' aims to bridge the divide between disability inclusion and climate resilience by generating contextual data, building capacity among youth with disabilities, and amplifying their voices in advocacy spaces. Central to this project is the recognition that young persons with disabilities are not only among the most vulnerable to climate impacts but are also essential agents of change. Their lived experiences, when centered in research and action, can significantly contribute to inclusive climate policies and community-based adaptation strategies.

Through this research study, the project seeks to explore how young persons with disabilities in Nepal understand and perceive climate change, what their lived experiences of coping with climate extremes are, and how climate change affects their health, education, livelihood, and support systems. It also aims to assess their level of inclusion and engagement in climate-related advocacy, campaigns, and planning/decision-making processes. By using a mixed-methods approach and focusing on the Kathmandu Valley with targeted field visits, this study intends to generate evidence that highlights the urgent need for inclusive climate action and demonstrates the critical role youth with disabilities must play in shaping a just and resilient future.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

General Objective:

To explore the social impact of climate change on young persons with disabilities in Nepal and examine their understanding, perception, and level of engagement in climate-related advocacy and planning processes.

Specific Objectives:

• To assess how young persons with disabilities understand and perceive climate change and related social impacts.
• To document the lived experiences of young persons with disabilities in coping with climate extremes (floods, heat, air pollution, water scarcity).
• To explore the impact of climate change on their health, education, livelihood, and support systems.
• To examine their current level of engagement in climate-related advocacy, campaigns, and decision-making.
• To generate evidence-based recommendations for increasing the participation of young people with disabilities in climate action.

3. Methodology

This study will adopt a mixed-methods approach, ensuring participation of diverse young persons with disabilities across Kathmandu Valley, with focused field visits to selected municipalities within/outside the valley.

Key Methods:

• Desk Review of relevant policies and literature.
• Surveys with young persons with disabilities.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with OPDs, local officials, youth climate leaders.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with young people with disabilities (segmented by gender, disability type).
• Case Studies documenting  youth stories.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities.
• Aged 15–35.
• Representation across gender and caste/ethnicity.

4. Deliverables

Deliverables:

• Inception Report (Week 1)
• Data Collection Summary (Week 3)
• Draft Study Report (Week 5)
• Stakeholder Validation Workshop (Week 6)
• Final Report (Week 7)
• Summary (Week 8)

5. Thematic Areas of Inquiry

• Social impact of climate change on health, education, livelihoods, and support systems.
• Knowledge and awareness of climate change.
• Participation in advocacy, campaigns, and planning.
• Barriers and enablers to engagement.
• Leadership roles and aspirations of youth with disabilities.

6. Required Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Disability Studies, Climate Studies, Public Health, or related field.
• Demonstrated minimum five years of experience in inclusive and participatory research.
• Familiarity with climate change discourse and disability rights frameworks.
• Proven engagement with youth and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).
• Strong writing, analysis, and facilitation skills.

7. Duration and Timeline

The total duration of the assignment is 8 weeks, starting from the date of contract agreement.

8. Supervision and Coordination

The study will be supervised by Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN) and coordinated with the Youth Advisory Group, partner OPDs, and relevant stakeholders.

9. Budget

The consultancy fee will be negotiated based on the strength of the technical and financial proposal. 

10. Application Process

Interested individuals or firms should submit the following documents:

• Technical proposal clearly specifying the understanding the scope of work, methodology and quality assurance 
• Financial proposal
• Updated CVs of team members
• Examples of similar past work
• Legal documents

Email submissions to: procurement@byanepal.org

Subject Line: Application for Research on Climate Change and Disability – July 2025

Deadline for submission: 12th July 2025

BYAN reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and to annul the selection process at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected consultants.

This TOR is subject to revision based on discussions and agreement between the contracting parties.

BYAN encourages applications from researchers and consulting teams that include persons with disabilities, women, young professionals, and individuals from marginalized communities. Proposals that demonstrate a strong understanding of disability rights, intersectionality, and inclusive research practices will be given special consideration. BYAN is committed to promoting equitable participation and ensuring that diverse perspectives are reflected throughout this assignment.