Business Service Providers Biochar Carbon Market Development

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS SERVICE PROVIDER (BSP) - Biochar Carbon Market Development

BACKGROUND

MEDA is an international economic development organization whose mission is to create business solutions to poverty. Founded in 1953 by a group of business professionals MEDA partners with the poor to start or grow small and medium-sized businesses in developing regions around the world.

In support to the sustainability and inclusivefarming business performance for the cacao SHFs andcacao-based enterpriseRIISA will engageaqualified BSP toconduct a feasibility study on biochar production and marketing in Davao Region and Bukidnon that embedded gendered environmental social and governance (G-ESG)principlesor practicesinthemethodologies and reporting.The objectiveof thestudyisthree-fold: 1)to determine whether there is commercial demand for biochar as soil applicationsin Mindanaoandfor carbon credits tradingwithin and outside the Philippines; 2)todetermine whether theavailablesupply of feedstocks such as cacao pods coconut husks durian huskssugarcanebagasseand pineapplewasteswould be sustainable enough to meet theidentified and projected demand forbiochar; and 3) toestimatepotential decent jobs1opportunitiescreated or supportedfrom biochar production and marketing in Davao region and Bukidnon.

SCOPE OF WORK

Withthe emphasisoncreating opportunitiesfor theRIISA clientssuch as thesmallholder farmers and SMEsfromparticipatingin the biochar production and marketingactivitiestogrowsustainable and inclusive businessesMEDA seeks an experiencedbusinessservice provider(BSP)tomeet the following deliverables:

• Embed G-ESGconsiderationsinthebiocharfeasibilitystudymethodologiesincluding the data collection tools.

• Conduct thebiocharfeasibility studyworkingwiththerelevant actorsof the target value chains.

• Submit afeasibility study reporton biochar production and marketing thatembedG-ESG practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Deliverables
Inception report that embeds G-ESG considerations in the biochar feasibility study methodologies including the data collection tools.

1. Data sources(e.g. completedquestionnaires in electronic copy)submittedfor each province.
2. Feasibility study report(in electronic copy)on biochar production and marketing thatembedG-ESG practices

Activities

1. Inception meeting with MEDA-RIISA Team to discuss how to embed G-ESG considerationsin the biochar production and marketing feasibility study.
2. Mobilization and coordination activities
3. Conduct the biochar feasibility study
4. Submitdata sourcesfor eachprovince (Davao del Sur including Davao City Davao Occidental Davao del Norte Davao de Oro Davao Oriental and Bukidnon).
5. Data collation and cleaning and Analyze data and interpret results
6. Submit the draftfeasibility study report
7. Submit the final copy (electronic copy) of the feasibility study report.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

March 1 2026 - Inception report that embeds G-ESG considerations in the biocharfeasibility study methodologies including the data collection tools.

April 2026August 2026 - Data sources (e.g. completed questionnaires in electronic copy)submittedfor each province.

September18 2026 - Feasibility study report (in electronic copy) on biochar production and marketing that embed G-ESG practices.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

A. Generic and Mandatory:

• Legally registered inthePhilippinesand been providing business serviceson biochar production and marketing involvingwomen and men farmerscooperativesSMEs Local Government Units and other relevant market system actorsfor at least three(3)years.
• Familiar with the agrifood ecosystemin Davao Regionand Bukidnon in Mindanao.
• Business servicesare supportingtheircorporatescommercial alignedwith the priority ofcooperativesandSMEsinDavao region and Bukidnonthat istodevelop new oradditionalrevenue streams toimprove their business performancetocreatedecentjobsopportunities.
• 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 womens rights and human rights.

• BSP does not appear on the US UK UN or EU lists of terrorist organizations.

• Localandfinancially stable organization/company. Need to provide 2-3 yearsaudited FS.

B. Specific Expertise and Capacities:

• Abusiness service providerwithdemonstrated evidence in conducting feasibility studies on biochar productioncarbonmarketdevelopmentand climatefinance.

• Demonstratedexpertiseand experiencewithdemonstratedevidence in embedding G-ESG considerations in the conduct of feasibility studies.

• Demonstratedexpertiseand experience inworking withgovernment agenciesand Local Government Units cooperatives SMEscouncils anddevelopment-orientedorganizations.

• Experience inglobal andCanada carbon marketdevelopment.

FUNDING:Will be discussed with the selected BSP.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

InterestedBSPtosend application toMEDA via email at
and cc:or through the BambooHR platformwith thePROPOSALas attachment by 5:00pm onJanuary30 2026.PleaseindicateBSPBiochar Production and Marketing Feasibility Study.

A. Contact Information

1. Organizations Legal Name:

2. Mailing Address:

3. Main Contact Person and Title:

4. Telephone andEmail address:

6. Website if available (Facebook twitter):SEC/CDA/DTI Registration Number:

B. ProposalOutline

1. Introduction(maximumhalf page):provide understanding oftheToRand how your organization or company can respond to a brief explanationon their motivation to partner with MEDA.

2. Capability Statement(maximum of one page):

• Briefly describe your organizations business services in relation to theexpertiserequired by thisToR in the last three years with specific information on the beneficiaries contracting company/organization andtheresults of your engagements.

• Briefly describe the financial position of the organization/company.

• 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.

• Describethe qualifications of the personnel who willpossiblybeinvolved in the engagement.

3. Proposed Methodology(maximum ofonepage).

• Describe how the proponent willprovide thebusinessservicesrequiredand achieve the desireddeliverables within the prescribedtimeframe.

• Discussthe strategy toembed G-ESG considerationsin the implementation processes andreportingto ensurethemeaningfulparticipationand benefitsof womenyouthand Indigenous peoples and to promotegood governance in biochar production and marketing enterprises.

4. Proposed Work Plan(maximum of one page). Outline the activities timeline expected outputsresourcesand theexpertiseneeded.

5. Estimated Cost of the Engagement(inmatrixformat): Itemized cost and unit and total cost.

6. Annex:

• Copy ofDTI/SEC/CDACertificate of Registration

• Copy ofCV of BSP staff who will work on this engagement.

• Copy of the work sample/s of BSPorthe assigned staff.

MEDA welcomes and encourages applications from all genders backgrounds religions cultures nationalities and abilities. Accommodation is available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in the selection process.

Required Experience:

Senior IC