Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) for Establishing Baseline for the GRACE–LoCALplus Project in Bangladesh

Photo: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.

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The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal, is seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI) from established firms and institutions to conduct the baseline assessment for the GRACE-LoCALplus Project in Bangladesh’s Chattogram Hill Tracts CHT). The overall objective of the baseline is to establish a robust baseline (evaluation) design that generates reliable, disaggregated data to inform the planning, implementation, performance monitoring, and evaluation of the project, while also providing a framework (basis) for conducting linked midline and endline assessments for evaluating outcomes and impacts of the project.

The call is open to both national and international firms, institutions, or consortiums (led by a firm or institution) with an established operational presence in Bangladesh. Preference will be given to firms or institutions that can demonstrate a proven track record in designing and implementing baseline, midline, and endline studies for bilateral and multilateral climate change adaptation programmes. Firms or institutions interested in this call are expected to possess the institutional capacity to obtain all necessary approvals and clearances from relevant government authorities for conducting field-based data collection in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In addition, firms should be able to assemble a technically strong and balanced team with demonstrated technical expertise required of the project including the design and execution of rigorous baseline studies that establish reliable benchmarks for subsequent assessments to inform project implementation and measure progress over time. The team should also bring applied experience in gender-responsive evaluations, and rights-based and inclusive approaches, ensuring that the baseline is methodologically sound, contextually relevant, and aligned project requirements.

About the GRACE–LoCALplus Project

ICIMOD and United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) jointly implementing the Green, Resilient, and Adaptive Chittagong Hill Tracts Economy (GRACE)-LoCALplus project in CHT. The project is funded by the Adaptation Fund. Building on the experience of the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) mechanisms designed and managed by the UNCDF, GRACE-LoCALplus promotes access to climate finance by local government authorities for locally led climate action. The project aims to strengthen climate resilience in the CHT region through locally led adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure, and performance-based climate finance. Over its implementation period, GRACE will support vulnerable communities and institutions in adopting inclusive, climate-smart solutions that improve livelihoods, enhance governance, and promote sustainable development.

Over the four years, the GRACE-LoCALplus project will be implemented in a phased geographic expansion approach. In its first two years of implementation phase, the project will target 15 district sub-units or Upazilas (UPs) – namely Alikadam, Baghaichhari, Dighinala, Kaptai, Kawkhali, Khagrachhari, Lakshmichhari, Mahalchhari, Manikchhari, Matiranga, Naikhongchhari, Naniarchar, Panchhari, Rajasthali, and Ramgarh. This focus is intended to generate early evidence of effectiveness, build institutional capacity, and establish localized models for climate adaptation finance delivery. Following the first two years of implementation, the project will expand its coverage to the other 10 Upazilas that were previously part of the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) – a multi-donor collaborative initiative. In this phase Upazilas including Bandarban Sadar, Barkal, Belaichhari, Juraichhari, Lama, Langadu, Rangamati Sadar, Rowangchari, Ruma, and Thanchi will benefit from the project’s scaling approach. The Designated Authority (DA) for the Adaptation Fund in Bangladesh is the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The Executing Entities are UNCDF, ICIMOD, the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (MoCHTA), and the Local Government Division.

For additional details, interested firms or institutions must refer to the detailed Terms of Reference (ToR), and the linked Results Framework of the project and project Theory of Change (ToC), and the project document.

Structure of EoI and Submission Deadline

Interested institutions or firms must submit their EoI, along with a cover letter on official letterhead (signed by the designated contact person), by October 17, 2025 (11:45 am Nepal Standard Time) to: ieu@icimod.org under the subject line: EoI for GRACE–LoCALplus Baseline Assessment

EoI Submission Format

Please respond to the following questions

1. Why is your firm or institution well-qualified for this assignment? (500–800 words) Demonstrate your firm or institution’s suitability by referencing the baseline objectives, methodology, scope of work, and qualifications outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

Additionally, firms or institutions are requested to attach or provide a link to the most relevant piece of work completed within the past three years. In addition, please attach or provide a link to at least one testimonial or reference received for work delivered during the same period.

2. What would be your preferred baseline (evaluation) design, and methodology for this assignment? (500–800 words) Explain how your proposed baseline (evaluation) design as well as the methodology is tailored to the GRACE project context and aligns with the objectives outlined in the ToR. Clearly explain why you are choosing the proposed baseline (evaluation) design and the associated methodology over other available options?
3. What would be your preferred team composition for this assignment? (100–200 words) Describe how your proposed team aligns with the composition, qualifications and balance criteria as outlined in the ToR. The proposed team must be clearly structured, with defined roles and responsibilities for each member, such as, a team leader / principal investigator. Co-lead, a senior baseline (evaluation) design expert / evaluation specialist (with climate adaptation background), a social inclusion and gender expert, a field coordinator experienced in CHT, and enumerators fluent in local languages.

Please, separately attach or provide links to the CVs of the proposed team members, ensuring that each CV does not exceed two pages in length.

4. Declaration Statement Confirm that:

• You are a registered firm or organization that has had its financial accounts audited within the last three years and is in compliance with all applicable tax regulations. Please do not attach these supporting documents at this stage, as these will be requested during the next phase of the selection process.
• The information in this EoI is accurate and complete and will be used to evaluate your eligibility for the next stage (Request for Proposal) of the technical services procurement process.
• ICIMOD may reject the EoI if the information provided is false or misleading, or if disqualifying circumstances exist.

The EoIs will be assessed based on the quality and relevance of the responses prepared by the interested firms or institutions in relation to the requirements of this call.

Questions and Clarifications

If you have any questions, please direct them to: ieu@icimod.org.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in the GRACE–LoCALplus Project and your participation through this call for Expressions of Interest.

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