Consulting Services, Implementation Support Consulting Services for the Village Forest Management Project (Vfmp) Phase II

Project Measures:

• In accordance with the commitment established between KfW, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of Lao PDR, the Village Forest Management Project (VFMP) Phase II has been designed as a key intervention under the German–Lao development framework. With a grant amount of approximately EUR 20 million and an additional Lao PDR own contribution of around EUR 2 million, this phase builds on the successes and lessons learned in Phase I

• The overall objective of the VFMP Phase II is to improve the condition of forest ecosystems while simultaneously enhancing the socio-economic status of rural communities. The primary project goal is to ensure that villages, particularly those with a high concentration of forest-dependent and marginalized groups, are equipped to manage their forest resources sustainably in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges.

• The FC measure under VFMP has the following components:

• Component 1. Capacity Development & Forest Policy to strengthen government capacity and improve the policy framework essential for community-based forestry

• Component 2. Implementation of Financially Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Forestry Models 

• Component 3. Socio-Economic Enhancement in Targeted Villages 

   

Requested Services:

•  Assistance in the implementation of the project.

• Qualified, independent international consulting companies (alone or in consortia with other international or national partners) with proven regional expertise in the fields of implementing forestry projects including forest policies enabling village forestry, sustainable and resilient financial models under varied socio-economic conditions and with experience in financial cooperation project management are herewith invited to submit applications. 

• The consulting services shall provide the following national and international expertise:

• a)         Forest Management and Sustainability: 

• Experience with community-based forest management, forest policy formulation, and sustainable practices in SEA that align with international standards

• b)         Technical and Vocational Training: 

• Proven ability to design and implement capacity-building programs, particularly for government officials and community representatives, ensuring that technical forestry knowledge is effectively transferred through practical training sessions

• c)         Digital Management Systems: 

• Proficiency in developing and managing digital information systems (MIS/GIS) to support monitoring, reporting, and data management aspects of the project 

• d)     Stakeholder Engagement and Adaptive Management: 

• Competence in designing and implementing effective stakeholder consultation processes, ensuring that community voices are integrated into project design and adaptive management measures.

• e)         EHS  and ESIA expertise 

• f)          Project management of implementation projects, in particular FC-financed projects and

• g)   Procurement, financial management and accounting, ideally in Laos or neighbouring countries