Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Business Service Providers to support the Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) initiative.

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

Background

 

In the Philippines, MEDA is now on its third year of project implementation of its five-year Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) initiative. It strives for more resilience and inclusive economic growth for women and men cacao smallholder farmers (SHFs) in Mindanao, Philippines, from strengthened cacao market systems supported by investment. With a focus on Davao region and exposure to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), RIISA responds to multiple challenges in the Philippines cacao sector and draws on MEDA’s experience in market systems development, gender lens investing (GLI), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and environment and climate change (ECC).  

 

RIISA is addressing cacao SHFs socio-economic challenges while contributing to market systems resilience (MSR) by i) mobilizing Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)-focused investment for cacao sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and financial intermediaries (FIs); ii) strengthening the capacity, including GESI, human rights (HR), and ECC, of local FIs and business service providers (BSPs) to deliver better services and products to cacao SMEs and cooperatives; iii) strengthening the capacity of cacao cooperatives and smallholder farmers (SHFs) in environmentally sustainable and inclusive farming and business practices; and iv) improve key enabling environment actors’ awareness of ESG practices in the cacao market system.  

 

In implementing the capacity strengthening program with wrap around investments and technical assistance (TA) for SMEs and FIs, and cooperatives, RIISA will engage qualified business service providers to provide the expertise and facilitation support needed. The expected immediate outcomes of this approach are i) increased integration of gendered environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into operations of businesses and financial intermediaries serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives in Mindanao cacao market system; ii) improved environmentally sustainable and inclusive business performance for SHFs and cooperatives in the cacao market system in Mindanao; and iii) Improved practice of relevant actors to promote best ESG practices in the cacao market system in the Philippines. 

Scope of Work

Specific to outcome on improved practice of relevant actors focusing on capacity strengthening of the cacao council to promote best G-ESG practices, MEDA seeks an experienced service provider to assist the DAVAO REGION CACAO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL and the DAVAO CITY CACAO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL in the implementation of their G-ESG focused projects

Key Responsibilities

Work with DRCIDC on the project implementations based on the following:

Business Growth Issues

1. Establish 6 model farms on regenerative farming

Objectives

To establish model farms in all provinces of Davao region.

Activities

Conduct regenerative farming practices training, guided implementation and monitoring in six model farms across the region. Organize the production experts pool (private and public sectors) in Davao Region who will work on the model farms. Project planning: development of protocols and selection criteria.

Outcomes

To increase cacao pod yield by at least 30% after a year of rehabilitation from 2023 baseline Increase in production and better quality beans More farmers adopting regenerative farming system practices

2. Intensively branding and marketing initiatives

Objectives

To improve quality of products and packaging To have products aligned with government regulations on food safety To have products accepted and distributed to market segments/customer To increase sales and income

Activities

Institutional Partnerships with Distribution Channels. Expand the marketing and product development support to Davao SMEs Facilitate FDA (LTO and CPR) certifications of target SMES To develop a Regional Cacao story to encourage an immersive cacao experience for the youth 

Outcomes

Increase in sales for SMEs. Products are able to penetrate new distribution channels. More Davao City based chocolate producers are compliant to regulations

3. Cacao value adding and innovation

Objectives

To involve the academic institutions for culinary innovations for cacao processing. To develop the next generation cacao and chocolate advocates.

Activities

Develop and adopt standard modules on Chocolate making and other value adding processes. Conduct Trainers Training with partner academic institutions. Organize cacao culinary events.

Outcomes

More youth and women are engaged or employed in Cacao business. Stronger partnerships with academic institutions

Work with DCCIDC on the project implementations based on the following:

Business Growth Issues

1. Lack of Juridical Identity or legal mandate for the Davao City Cacao Industry Development Council

Objectives

To formalize the creation of the DCCIDC through a city ordinance and executive order. To initiate the registration with DOLE and a membership with the City Development Council (CDC).

Activities 

Draft the position paper for submission to the City Council in support to the legislation. Liaise with the City Mayor’s office for the executive order. Registration with DOLE and membership with the City Development Council. Initiate documentation of internal processes.

Outcomes

Increased engagements for the councils and more partnerships formed.

2. Lack of manual on the clonal rehabilitation for aging farms to serve as guide to the farmers on proper procedures and guided outcomes amidst climate change and pest & disease in order to have resilient cacao clones. (standards on shade management, pruning & Pest and Disease Management)

Objectives

To publish a clonal rehabilitation manual for aging farms.

Activities

Work with the academe (USEP, SPAMST, Davao Del Sur State College and UP Min-KIST) on the creation of the manual and once data has been properly gathered, the actual documentation will take place and validated. The manual will not only be printed but also be made into instructional videos to be released in the social media.

Outcomes

More cacao farmers will adopt the practices and will become the benchmark for the whole cacao industry that the provincial and regional cacao councils will promote with their constituency and direct them to contribute to the Philippine target for cacao industry sustainability.

3. Lack of competency of manpower to implement the clonal manual (standards on shade management, pruning & Pest, and Disease Management).

Objectives

To establish a Cacao Grove Shared Service Program (Premium fee for a service): shade management, pruning & Pest, and Disease Management.

Activities

Enlisting and Accrediting the Cacao Grove Shared Service providers

Outcomes

More cacao farms are climate change resilient; into biodiversity conservation, sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices including pollination procedures

Deliverables

A. With DRCIDC

6 Model farms on regenerative farming established (June 2024 - May 2025) Sales/Marketing contract with at least one nationwide distribution channel (April 2024 - March 2025) An MOU with at least 3 academic instructions (June 2024 - June 2025) Organize at least 3 marketing and/or culinary events (June 2024 - June 2025)

B. With DCCIDC

DCCIDC registration with DOLE and EO by the LGU (March to May 2024) A manual for Cacao Regenerative farming for aging farms (March-May 2024) At least 3 Cacao Grove Shared Service Providers Enlisted (June 2024 - May 2025)

Qualifications & Selection Criteria

A. Generic and Mandatory: 

Legally registered in the Philippines and been providing business services to cooperatives or SMEs for at least three years. To provide a copy of the SEC or DTI registration or CDA registration, Business Permit, and BIR registration.  RIISA Project prefers to partner with BSPs that have presence or intention to provide business services in Davao Region Can partner with MEDA, and willing to work closely with MEDA staff. Committed to the development and progress of cooperatives and SMEs in the Philippines Committed to contribute to the development of cacao sector in Mindanao. Fulfill MEDA’s due diligence requirements: BSP and staff are not involved in terrorist, illegal or criminal activities, including but not limited to drug, arms or sex trafficking, money laundering, violation of women’s rights and human rights. BSP does not appear on the US, UK, UN, or EU lists of terrorist organizations. Local and financially stable organization/company. Need to provide 2-3 years audited FS Has a contingency plan and mechanism in place to adapt to any health or travel restrictions 

 

B. Specific Expertise: 

An organization that represents and actively doing business in support of the cacao industry for the last 5 years. Demonstrated expertise and experience in the cacao business development and management such as marketing, provision on technology training, strengthening of cacao SME’s among others. Demonstrated expertise and experience in co-developing projects with cacao councils. Experience in providing technical assistance to cacao SMEs and farmers in achieving business growth and objectives, and meeting environmental, social, and governance considerations and standards. With technical knowledge on the following: cooperative and MSME governance; gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights; social entrepreneurship; cacao market system development; environmentally sustainable agriculture practices. With robust networking and facilitation expertise across all actors of the cacao value chain

Funding

Will be discussed with the selected BSP

Application Procedure

Please upload your completed application through the BambooHR system by March 1, 2024 at 4:00 pm ET Questions can be sent to: RIISA_Submissions@meda.org . 

Proponent shall follow the prescribed proposal format below and submit in electronic copy with the following information. 

 

A. Contact Information 

Organization’s Legal Name:  Mailing Address:   Main Contact Person and Title:  Telephone:  Email address:  Website, if available (Facebook, twitter):  SEC/CDA/DTI Registration Number: 

 

B. Proposal Outline 

Introduction (maximum half page): provide understanding of the ToR and how your organization or company can respond to the ToR’s requirements. Proponent to add a brief explanation on their motivation to partner with MEDA.  Capability Statement (maximum of one page):   Briefly describe your organization’s business services provided, in relation to the expertise required by this ToR, in the last three years with specific information on the beneficiaries, contracting company/organization, and results of your engagements.   Briefly describe the financial position of the organization/company.   Briefly discuss the organization/company’s contingency plan and mechanism in place to adapt to the pandemic situation.   Please include the contact details (contact person, phone, and email) of at least three (3) organizations/companies/cooperatives who can speak to the capability and credibility of your organization.   Describe the qualifications of the personnel who will possibly be involved in the engagement.

   3. Proposed Methodology (maximum of one page).  

Describe how the proponent will assist the DRCIDC and DCCIDC to fully implement their G-ESG focused projects and achieve the desired outcome targets within the prescribed timeframe. Discuss the strategy to ensure meaningful participation of women, youth and Indigenous peoples in the project implementation processes and activities. 

   4. Proposed Work Plan (maximum of one page). Outline the activities, timeline, expected outputs, resources and the expertise needed. 

   5. Estimated Cost of the Engagement (in matrix format): Itemized cost and unit, and total cost. 

   6. Annex: 

DTI/SEC/CDA Certificate of Registration Resume or CV of BSP staff who will work on this engagement. Work sample/s of BSP OR the assigned staff.