Germany - Research and development consultancy services - 81322998-Development of a project pipeline for the CAFI Cameroon Partnership and related activities

As part of its ongoing efforts to pursue its sustainable development goals and achieve the ambitions set out by the Government in its vision for 2035, Cameroon adopted in 2020, to implement the second phase of its vision covering the period 2020-2030, a policy document entitled the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30). During this phase, the Government intends to bring about the structural transformation of the economy through industrialisation. However, achieving these objectives will require well-structured measures designed to minimise the impact on the environment, particularly in light of the growing momentum of environmental protection initiatives promoted within the framework of the various Conferences of the Parties on climate change (COP), the most recent of which (COP 31) was held in Recife, Brazil, from 10. - 21. November 2025. With a view to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Cameroon has joined the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), which aims to recognise and preserve the value of the region"s forests in order to mitigate climate change and reduce poverty. More specifically, the long-term objective of the Cameroon-CAFI partnership is to facilitate the acceleration of economic development by promoting the application of the principle of a "green economy" through which Cameroonian value chains are made competitive and meet the demands of international, national and sub-regional markets, whilst Cameroon ensures food security and reduces the impact of the development of these sectors on deforestation and forest degradation. This is in line with the principles set out in the SND30 and defined in the Letter of Intent (LOI) signed between Cameroon and CAFI in October 2024 with a view to realising the ambitions outlined in the sectoral strategies and will underpin the success of the future partnership. In order to facilitate the consolidation and implementation of the Letter of Intent signed for a long-term partnership between Cameroon and CAFI, the partners have decided to envisage a three-year pilot phase. Furthermore, it was decided to implement a sectoral and multi-level coordination project, which will also oversee the portfolio management and coordination of three technical projects funded by CAFI. Its aim will be to strengthen the capacities of national technical bodies for enhanced and inclusive cross-sectoral coordination, and for strategic and spatial planning, in order to move towards a green economy. This coordination aims to build consensus on the planning tools to be developed, the reforms to be implemented and the innovative financing mechanisms for the development of the green economy, which will help to increase the mobilisation and alignment of interventions and funding from the public and private sectors, both national and international. As part of the overall PCIM project, the contractor will focus on 2 work packages - Work Package 1 (Output 2): Support to Cameroon"s National Research and Innovation System (SNRI) and coordination/harmonization of geographic data across ministries to provide coherent land-use and deforestation driver information. - Work Package 2 (Output 3): Preparation of the next CAFI-Cameroon phase via a project pipeline. Work Package 1 (Output 2) Activity 2.1.3: Support to a National Research and Innovation System (SNRI) - Purpose: Establish and develop a Cameroonian SNRI, supporting the National Strategy SND30, strengthen institutional conditions and the uptake of research and innovation. - Contractor tasks: close cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) and the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI); Conduct a situational analysis/diagnosis of the SNRI; Develop an extended SNRI concept (actors, methods, processes, roles/mandates); Operationalize a permanent consultation framework (e.g., regulatory texts, documentation research); Identify innovative R&D projects (through calls for proposals/incubators) in concertation with GIZ and partners for subsequent financing; Develop an international research partnership strategy and organize a study trip for selected partners.; Develop a peatland conservation strategy. Activity 2.1.4: System for Digital and Satellite Mapping - Purpose: Support MINEPAT and sector ministries (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture MINADER, Ministry of Forests and Fauna MINFOF) and the National Observatory on Climate Change (ONACC) to produce and digitize real-time maps on forest cover/deforestation, forest resource use (mining/agriculture), and agro-sylvo-pastoral land; move toward a centralized, cross-ministerial system. - Contractor tasks: Map all actors currently producing cartographic material (beyond the National Institute of Cartography); Support the National Institute of Cartography in compiling, completing, and harmonizing cartographic datasets/parameters; Support MINFOF to improve SIGIF2 by: (i) operationalizing all modules incl. satellite imagery, (ii) establishing annual procedures to evaluate the traceability function, activating the national monitoring committee (APV FLEGT), and publishing evaluation and action plan on APV and MINFOF websites, (iii) interconnecting SIGIF2 with customs and tax systems and setting a roadmap to improve forestry taxation (MINFOF/MINFI); Support ONACC in climate monitoring reports (e.g., Forest Cover Loss Atlas 2000-2017; updated climate risk monitoring) to inform the National Adaptation Plan. Work Package 2 (Output 3) Activity 3.1.2: Feasibility Studies - Purpose: Provide robust decision bases for the project pipeline. - Deliverables: 15 Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEA), 15 pre-feasibility studies, 15 feasibility studies, plus capacity building for the Project Steering Unit (UGP). - Approach: Early expert involvement, stakeholder feedback (sector ministries and decentralized authorities), analysis of technical, economic, environmental, and climate aspects; results guide project design and management. Activity 3.1.3: Development of ProDocs - Based on portfolio design and studies: o Draft and submit ToR for Calls for Expressions of Interest (CEI) for implementing agencies to MINEPAT. o Coordinate validation of project outlines with UGP and CAFI Secretariat. o Note: MINEPAT selects/engages agencies; ProDocs and related workshops are produced by the selected agencies under MINEPAT supervision. o Provide technical support to agencies developing ProDocs; support MINEPAT in mobilizing finance (public/private, national/international, co financing, credit). o Target sectors: industry/energy, agro industry (priority crops, deforestation drivers), forest/wood, mines metallurgy steel (green mine), transport (market access in rural areas). Ensure alignment with NDS30, sector strategies, and deforestation free, climate compatible value chains. Activity 3.2.1: Study on Innovative Financing/Incentive Mechanisms - Analyze tools/models (project/results based finance, budget support, compensatory payments, benefit sharing, etc.), assess feasibility and viability. Activity 3.2.2: National Innovative Financing System - Develop and agree administrative procedures for simplified fund provision; produce a procedures manual for financial administration/management during tendering, selection, and awarding; define common concepts/standards for incentives/financing models; build capacities; apply within future projects/investment plans. Activity 3.2.3: Jurisdictional Eligibility for Sustainable Agro industry - Assess Cameroon"s compliance with financiers" jurisdictional criteria (e.g., &Green); consider EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). - Raise awareness among stakeholders (including agro industries; one day international conference); provide technical/financial support; develop capacity-building for the Project Steering Unit and stakeholders. Activity 3.2.4: Municipal Financing Mechanism for Ecological Performance (MFMPE) - Performance based payments from CAFI to regions/municipalities/land users aligned with land use/development; adapt CAFI information system; aim for national management via a dedicated unit in an accredited organization. - Contractor tasks: In depth analysis of institutional requirements in year 1; support setup and operations, incl. capacity building; Co develop institutional framework with FEICOM; Design and implement processes, procedures, and support documents (manual) subject to UGP/mandated organization approval; Support agreements between CAFI and the mandated organization for financial transfers/administration per national CAFI access procedures; Strengthen the Project Steering Unit and mandated organization capacities; Pilot the mechanism in one municipality; conduct annual independent financial audits; Support accreditation with CAFI Fund and GCF.