Funding Opportunities

Request for Proposals: Consulting to Scope Resource Mobilization Opportunities for the Clean Cooking Alliance’s Market Strengthening Program Priorities

Background and Context

The United Nation Foundation’s (UNF) Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) works with a global network of partners to build an inclusive industry that makes clean cooking accessible to the three billion people who live each day without it. Clean cooking transforms lives by improving health, protecting the climate and environment, empowering women, and helping consumers save time and money. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, CCA is working to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030.

CCA’s adopts a market systems approach and combines normative work on global technical standards with thematic programmatic interventions to accelerate clean cooking access.

The thematic programmatic work is built around three strategic initiatives to systematically strengthening market systems to drive consumer demand through the User Insights Lab, mobilizing investment through the Catalytic Finance Accelerator, and fostering an enabling environment in selected countries to support faster clean cooking national transitions.

a. User Insights Lab (UIL): The UIL aims to significantly scale demand and the sustained use of clean cooking. It intends to do so by collaborating with clean cooking enterprises, policymakers, and program implementers to improve the design and development of clean cooking solutions, policies, and programs. These collaborations will be designed to have the end-user at the center. They will also be informed by insights into end-user’s preferences, constraints, and behaviors (including gender specific insights). The UIL does this through a multi-disciplinary approach, one that incorporates human centered design, behavioral science, economics, and action-based research. The goal is to develop new data, tools, and capabilities to support the transition to user-centered innovation in the clean cooking sector.

b. Catalytic Finance Accelerator (CFA): is a coalition of actors from clean cooking, carbon, and financial markets. It aims to secure at least $100 million in financing commitments by 2026 and $500 million by 2030, enabling families, companies, and developing economies to transition toward greener pathways through clean cooking. The core strategy is to leverage carbon market opportunities as high-volume drivers of clean cooking market growth to catalyze large pools of traditional capital (e.g. guarantees, debt, equity, and other forms of blended capital) and make more effective traditional forms of non-returnable capital (e.g. grants and technical assistance delivered through both input-based and output-based mechanisms). The strategy is executed through four workstreams related to (a) better market norms and regulation, (b) better information and efficient market infrastructure, (c) more capable clean cooking companies and carbon project developers, and (d) more responsive adjacent markets.

c. Enabling Country Environments for Transitions: Our Country Transition work focuses on supporting country ecosystems to accelerate access to clean cooking. This includes country market systems assessments, national strategy advisory, country-level market intelligence and policy briefs for a cross-section of stakeholders, supporting in country delivery of our global initiatives, and policy advisory.

The thematic private sector development programs at CCA are primarily funded by a bilateral donor through a multi-year programmatic grant scheduled to end in 2024 with negotiation for a next phase expected. This grant is supplemented by funding from additional agreements for discrete projects from bilateral funders and family foundations.

Following a strategy refresh, the ambitions of the programmatic initiatives have grown significantly, demanding significant growth in funding to resource ambitions. The target is to raise at least US$40 million over the next 5 years for the period 2024 – 2028 period.

Objectives of the Assignment:

a. Identify the most effective growth opportunities for the three thematic programmatic causes.

b. Provide clear and detailed approaches to enhance existing funding streams and establish new income sources.

c. Back up recommendations with detailed research and evidence.

Scope of Work:

a. Comprehensive Mapping of Donors and Funding Sources

• Identification a diverse range of funding sources: philanthropies, government grants, corporate social responsibility funds, international development funds, and other relevant sources. Focus on funding sources that have historically supported market-based approaches around clean energy, environmental sustainability health and public policies and institutions, as well as innovation, entrepreneurship and financial sector development for social and environmental impact.
• Deeper dive on funding sources in geographical areas around Washington D.C., London and Geneva.

b. Analysis of Funding Trends and Areas of Focus

• Conduct a trend analysis of the funding landscape, focusing on recent shifts in donor priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Analyse the geographic and thematic focus of each potential donor, especially relating to clean cooking and sustainable energy solutions.

c. Budget Lines Analysis

• Examine and report on specific budget lines of potential donors, understanding their financial capacity and typical funding ranges.
• Provide insights into the financial health and funding cycles of these organizations.

d. Timing of Funding Calls and Application Processes

• Identify and document the timelines for major funding calls, application deadlines, and decision-making periods.
• Provide a calendar of upcoming funding opportunities for the next 24 months.

e. Priorities of Funding

• Align potential funding sources with the key priorities of the programmatic initiatives.
• Evaluate donors based on their interest in funding research, capacity building, project implementation, or advocacy.

f. Priority Countries and Regions

• Identify donors with a specific interest in the Clean Cooking Alliance’s priority countries or regions.
• Highlight opportunities in countries with high demand for clean cooking solutions and where CCA has existing networks or partnerships.

Deliverables:

a. A report that maps donor interests, priorities, funding windows, typical funding amounts, focal points, samples of successful project applications, and points to clear actions that should be taken to mobilize funds and develop/maintain relationships with donors.

b. A time-bound action plan to systematically research and raise funds for the 3 initiatives.

c. An action plan that outlines clear timelines for the action proposed.

Project Period of Performance:

This assignment will be performed between May 2024 – August 2024. Interest and ability in continuing providing services after the Assignment should be elaborated on further in the application.

Eligibility and Technical Requirements:

This assignment is open to a firm or a consortium of individual consultants with firm in lead. The consultants should have a strong background in fundraising from official funders, trust and foundations, and corporates.

1. Established expertise in resource mobilization: The firm should have a strong track record in developing and implementing successful resource mobilization strategies, particularly in sectors related to environmental sustainability and clean energy.

2. In-depth knowledge of market systems development: Demonstrated experience in understanding and working with market systems approaches, especially in areas like clean cooking and sustainable energy solutions. This includes experience with a variety of funding sources such as philanthropies, government grants, CSR funds, and international development funds.

3. Research and analysis capabilities: The firm must possess comprehensive research and analytical capabilities to conduct donor mapping, funding trend analysis, and budget line analysis, using data to inform strategic decisions.

4. Geographic specialization: Familiarity with the funding landscape and donor interests in key geographical centres like New York, Washington D.C., London, and Geneva, and in the Clean Cooking Alliance’s priority countries or regions.

5. Qualified team: The firm should have a team with relevant educational backgrounds and professional experience, ideally with advanced degrees in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Economics, Business Administration, or International Development.

6. Reporting and documentation expertise: Demonstrated ability to deliver comprehensive reports, strategy documents, annexes, and detailed action plans as required by the ToR.

Timeline:

Budget:

A detailed budget in US Dollars must be submitted with the proposal. Budget should include both pre-tax and net of tax values. The budget should include direct costs (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Sub-Agreements, Equipment, Supplies, etc.), as well as indirect costs (overhead). For indirect costs, please indicate a list of expenses covered by the indirect rate. For all direct cost, please include assumptions that were made to arrive at line-item costs (e.g. 2 trips @ $1,500/trip = $3,000 or 20 staff hours @ $40/hour = $800).

If a bid has a mathematical discrepancy, CCA may correct the discrepancy and notify the Consultant of the adjustment. In such circumstances, the Consultant may choose to withdraw their bid.

The budget should not exceed US $25,000.

Evaluation Process:

The Clean Cooking Alliance will review all written proposals and may request a phone or in-person interview and/or updated submission to address questions or provide clarification. CCA will use the following criteria in its evaluation.

Intent and Disclaimer:

This RFP is made with the intent to identify a Consultant to deliver results as described in this RFP. UNF/the Clean Cooking Alliance will rely on the Consultant’s representations to be truthful and as described. The Clean Cooking Alliance assumes it can be confident in the Consultant’s ability to deliver the product(s) and/or service(s) proposed in response to this RFP.

If the Clean Cooking Alliance amends the RFP, copies of any such amendments will be sent to all respondents to the proposal.

Proposal Guidelines and Requirements:

• This RFP is open to multiple partners and is a competitive process.
• Proposals received after 5pm ET April 3, 2024, will not be considered.
• The price provided should be in US dollars, and should contain both pre-tax and net of tax values. If the process excludes certain fees or charges, the applicant must provide a detailed list of excluded fees with a complete explanation of the nature of those fees.
• CCA prefers a single point of contact who manages deliverables. If the execution of work to be performed by the Consultant requires the hiring of sub-contractors, the Consultant must clearly state this in the proposal. Sub-contractors must be identified and the work they will perform must be defined. Subcontractors are subject to approval of UNF/CCA.
• CCA will not refuse a proposal based upon the use of subcontractors; however, we retain the right to refuse the sub-contractors you have selected.
• Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful responses are considered available for inclusion in final contractual obligations.

Format for Proposals:

Proposals must include applicant signature as well as a signed declaration form. Proposals must include the full legal name of applicant, as well as legal formation and ownership structure (e.g. incorporation certification, tax status and ID, etc.).

Contracting and Compliance:

CCA will negotiate contract terms upon selection. A copy of the contract terms and conditions will be provided upon selection. All contracts are subject to review by the UN Foundation’s Business Services and Budget Reporting team. The project will start upon the complete execution of the contract. The contract will outline terms and conditions, scope, budget, and applicable flow down terms. Selected recipient(s) must comply with CCA, United Nations Foundation, and funder compliance requirements. The selected recipient(s) must also undergo detailed legal, financial, and commercial due diligence.

Release:

The Consultant understands that the Clean Cooking Alliance has chosen to solicit an RFP for consulting services, and that the Consultant’s response does not guarantee that the Clean Cooking Alliance will enter into a new contract with the Consultant or continue any current contract(s) with the Consultant.

The Consultant agrees that Clean Cooking Alliance may, at its sole discretion:

• Amend or cancel the RFP, in whole or in part, at any time.
• Extend the deadline for submitting responses.
• Determine whether a response does or does not substantially comply with the requirements of the RFP.
• Waive any minor irregularity, informality or nonconformance with the provisions or procedures of the RFP.
• Negotiate with all Consultants UNF deems acceptable.
• Issue multiple awards.
• Photocopy the responses for evaluation/review.

This RFP is not an offer to contract. The Clean Cooking Alliance assumes no responsibility for Consultant’s cost to respond to this RFP. All responses become the property of the Clean Cooking Alliance.

The Consultant, by submitting a response to this RFP, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFP.

The Consultant represents that it has responded to the RFP with complete honesty and accuracy. If facts provided in the Consultant’s response change, the Consultant agrees to supplement its response in writing with any deletions, additions, or changes within ten (10) days of the changes. The Consultant will do this, as necessary, throughout the selection process.

The Consultant understands it may receive proprietary and confidential information from the Clean Cooking Alliance during the RFP process (“Confidential Information”). The Consultant and CCA agree to not use Confidential Information for any purpose other than the Consultant’s participation in the RFP process, and to not reveal Confidential Information directly or indirectly to any other person, entity, or organization without the prior written consent of the other party. The Consultant and CCA further agree to exercise all reasonable precautions to maintain the proprietary and confidential nature of Confidential Information where it can best demonstrate its value and capacity to delivery ecosystem-wide, meaningful value.

Grounds for Exclusion:

Material misrepresentations, including omissions, may disqualify the Consultant from a contract award.

Submissions will be rejected in the Clean Cooking Alliance’s sole discretion if it finds that the Consultant has engaged in any illegal or corrupt practices in connection with the award.

The Consultant will be excluded from participation for the reasons below. By submitting a proposal in response to the RFP, the Consultant confirms that none of the below circumstances apply:

• The Consultant is bankrupt or being wound up, is having their affairs administered by the courts, has entered into an arrangement with creditors, has suspended business activities, is subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or is in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations.
• The Consultant or persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a final judgment.
• The Consultant has been found guilty of grave professional misconduct; proven by any means which CCA can justify.
• The Consultant has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established, or within the United States of America, or those of the country where the contract is to be performed.
• The Consultant or persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them have been convicted for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organization or money laundering by a final judgment.
• The Consultant makes use of child labor or forced labor and/or practice discrimination, and/or do not respect the right to freedom of association and the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining pursuant to the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Principal Point of Contact:

Feisal Hussain and Catherine Tarayia are the primary points of contact for this assignment. Please reach out to investment@cleancooking.org with any questions.

Submission Details:

Please submit any questions and/or proposal materials related to the Request for Proposals to investment@cleancooking.org with the subject line “Consulting to scope resource mobilization opportunities for the Clean Cooking Alliance’s Market Strengthening program priorities.”

The deadline for submission is April 3, 2024, at 5pm ET.