REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Feasibility Study for a Scalable and Inclusive Restoration Model in Ghana

SUMMARY

WRI intends to award a Fixed Price type contract to conduct a feasibility study on a scalable restoration model for degraded and deforested lands in Ghana. The study will assess the biophysical, social, legal, and economic factors that influence restoration outcomes, focusing on land tenure, gender equity, community empowerment, and private sector engagement. The study is expected to be completed by July 2025. Proposals must be submitted by January 27th , 2025.

About the World Resources Institute:

Founded in 1982, The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.

About the Global Restoration Initiative :

The WRI Global Restoration Initiative works to restore vitality to degraded landscapes worldwide by catalyzing ambitious commitments, supporting effective implementation, and fostering financial investments in restoration. With a focus on scaling locally led and inclusive restoration efforts, the initiative brings together governments, communities, private sector actors, and civil society to unlock the environmental, social, and economic benefits of restoration. In Africa, the initiative plays a critical role in advancing the AFR100 initiative, a country-led effort to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. WRI collaborates with partners across the continent to build capacity, mobilize funding, and implement restoration projects that promote biodiversity, enhance livelihoods, and support climate resilience. By leveraging innovative tools, data, and partnerships, WRI drives impactful restoration efforts that transform degraded landscapes into thriving ecosystems.

About the Land and Resources Right Initiative:

The WRI Land and Resource Rights Initiative focuses on strengthening land tenure and resource governance to support sustainable development, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration. The initiative works to ensure that land-connected communities, including Indigenous Peoples, women, and other marginalized groups, have secure land rights and equitable access to natural resources. Through research, partnerships, and policy engagement, the initiative aims to address structural drivers of inequity and tenure insecurity that undermine restoration and conservation efforts.

BACKGROUND

The Role of Land Tenure and Governance in Sustaining Restoration Outcomes:

A growing body of research suggests that for a restoration program to be successful in terms of people (intentionally considering women and men), nature, and climate, and for the success to be sustained, land tenure and governance – as well as other structural drivers of inequity, poverty, and short-term yield driven behaviours – must be addressed. Land tenure insecurity in particular, presents risks to the long term success of restoration outcomes.[1] Because tenure and land governance influence how restoration costs and benefits are distributed, they are likely to play an important role in determining whether land-connected people have sufficient incentive to invest in restoration practices.[2]

Experience suggests that for large-scale land-based investments by the private sector to result in positive outcomes for landholding communities through the equitable sharing of benefits and impacts, they should be developed based on best practices, standards and principles. Standards of particular relevance include the Guiding Principles on Land Based Investments in Africa,[3] IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability (particularity its standard PS7 on Indigenous Peoples and FPIC), the Operational Guidelines for Responsible Land Based Investments,[4] the Voluntary Guidelines for Responsible Governance of Land Forest and Fisheries,[5] and Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems.[6] There are scant examples of restoration projects that assess tenure dynamics to ensure equitable outcomes and alignment with such standards. A tenure diagnostic tool for restoration projects provides a framework that could be tested and adapted for this context.[7]

Land Degradation and Restoration Opportunities in Ghana:

Land degradation in Ghana is attributed to overexploitation of natural resources through illegal and unsustainable logging and mining and agricultural expansion, coupled with land tenure insecurity and the impacts of a changing climate.[8] For example, between 2010-2024, Ashanti and Eastern regions had the second and third-highest deforestation rates in the country, respectively.[9] Restoration projects are ongoing in certain regions of Ghana, some of which employ the participation of farmers, yet agricultural expansion exerts more pressure on the remaining dense forest. Agricultural intensification on existing farmlands may reduce farm expansion into the remaining forest areas; and mixed tree-crop systems could reduce deforestation due to conversion of land for farming, limit the clearance of trees from farmlands, enhance the provision of ecosystem services, and improve the soil’s fertility and moisture content.[10]

Based on WRI restoration team’s meetings held in early 2024 with chiefs, private sector, and other stakeholders in Ghana, there appears to be interest in engaging in large-scale restoration of degraded areas that is both empowering and beneficial for communities and also commercially viable. Such a multistakeholder initiative could result in restoration at scale through intensive/mixed tree crop agriculture using methods that enhance provision of ecosystem services, improve soil fertility and moisture content, and uses a model that provides sustained and equitable benefit sharing with local communities who live, depend on, and have rights and interests in the lands.

SCOPE OF THE PRE- FEASIBILITY STUDY

Objectives This study is intended to assess the feasibility and inform design of a model of restoration of degraded lands that (a) is driven by a commitment to recognize, protect, and promote land rights, (b) produces tangible benefits for women and men landholders, (c) produces a return on investment that is sufficient to maintain commercial viability, (d) results in successful restoration of degraded landscapes at scale in Ghana, and that (e) conforms with international best practice for engaging with, gaining consent from, and empowering communities.

Key Questions:

The feasibility study will seek to answer the following overarching questions for the cocoa belt in Ghana (specific locations to be determined):

• Factors that determine initial decision making/consent from communities and traditional decision-makers (tenure and land governance have a significant influence first on the decision making for restoration. It is that decision making which then allows for the costs and benefit distribution conversations to happen.)
• Biophysical suitability. What is the biophysical status of the area in question, and is it likely to be improved through agro-restoration activities? (Undertaken by WRI’s restoration team based in Ghana)
• Risks and opportunities posed by the extant land and resource tenure context. What is the prevailing customary/formal land tenure system in the area? Who has interests, rights, obligations, authority on land in question? Does the existing land tenure system present risks or opportunities for meeting the four key objectives of the investment.
• Social and gender equity. Who is the “local community,” what are the features of the community, including land tenure, gender, and status considerations, and social, familial, kin, and other relations, and how can all in the community be meaningfully engaged and empowered through the proposed restoration program?
• Economic, financial, and livelihood options for communities from the restoration investment and from the restored lands.
• Benefits/costs of current land use. What are existing land and resource uses, by whom, and to whose benefit/cost? Who have a stake in the status quo? Who stands to win and who to lose with the proposed investment, and how can that be addressed through programming and design?
• Local capacity, interest, incentives. What is the capacity and appetite among women and men (also youth and elders, migrants/tenants etc) in the community for engaging in mutually beneficial agro-restoration investment? What incentive structures will help drive restoration-focused behaviours and uses for the long term.
• Viable restoration/farming models. Given the biophysical features, social, legal, and land tenure context, and extant capacity and appetite, what are viable and appropriate farming/production/restoration models that are likely to support sustained, gender- and social-equitable, and inclusive benefits and ensure a return on investment?
• Learning-based design. What can be learned from examples of similar projects – current or historical that worked or did not in targeted area?

DELIVERABLES:

Expert partner(s) will be expected to undertake the following items:

1. Inception Report: A detailed work plan, methodology, and timeline for completing the study, developed in consultation with WRI’s restoration and Land and Resource Rights (LRR)teams.
2. Desk-Based Research Memo: A summary of key findings from existing literature and data on land tenure, governance, social equity, and restoration in Ghana, identifying knowledge gaps to address in the field-based assessments.
3. Comprehensive Study Report: A consolidated document presenting all findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations for scaling up restoration efforts in Ghana. This will include:
   • Field-Based Assessment : A comprehensive analysis of community engagement, land tenure dynamics, social and gender equity, biophysical suitability, and economic opportunities for communities, based on stakeholder consultations and field observations.
   • Feasibility Report with Design Recommendations: Detailing viable agro-restoration models, proposed incentive structures, and recommendations for ensuring protections for land and resource tenure, gender equity, social inclusion, and economic returns.
   • Stakeholder Engagement Outputs: Documentation of in country consultation and validation workshop materials, presentations, and community feedback validating the study findings.
4. Presentation to WRI and Stakeholders: A final presentation summarizing key findings, recommendations, and next steps for the feasibility study.

Delivery and Collaboration Approach

The selected consultant(s) will work closely with WRI’s Land and Resources Rights (LRR) and Restoration teams (Global and Ghana-based) to ensure the successful delivery of this study. Collaboration and partnership will be central to this process, with WRI providing periodic feedback and jointly brainstorming solutions to challenges as they arise.

The consultant(s) will be required to:

• Participate in a kick-off meeting with WRI to align on expectations, objectives, and the proposed approach.
• Attend regular bi-weekly meetings to share updates, address challenges, and refine the work plan as needed.
• Maintain open communication with WRI throughout the project, incorporating feedback and ensuring alignment on deliverables.

TIMING

It is expected that activities will commence in January 2025 and conclude on July 31, 2025. Indicative timeline is shown in the table below (subject to confirmation and agreement among parties, and determinations on location and duration of field-based research)

BUDGET

Budget range for the activities of the partner experts covered in this SOW includes direct labor, other direct costs (including travel and related), sub-contracts (if applicable) and should be in a range between $75,000 to $100,000 USD.

GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Eligible Applicants

WRI invites proposals from qualified organizations with demonstrated expertise in research and project delivery in land tenure, gender equity, social inclusion, agricultural value chains, and private sector engagement.

We welcome applications from both local NGOs or organizations with strong connections to communities and customary authorities in Ghana, as well as international organizations with a proven track record of implementing land tenure and agricultural value chain projects globally. Joint proposals from two or more organizations that collectively meet the scope of work and qualifications are welcome. Collaborative partnerships that combine local knowledge with global expertise are particularly encouraged.

Desired Qualifications

• At least 10 years experience with action- oriented assessments of land tenure systems, gender equity, agricultural value chains, and private sector investment in Ghana and similar contexts.
• Experience working with communities, traditional leaders, and other key stakeholders in Ghana, particularly in the cocoa belt.
• Strong knowledge of international standards and principles for responsible land-based investments (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, Voluntary Guidelines on Land Tenure).
• Proven ability to conduct field-based research, analyze complex socio-economic and biophysical data, and produce actionable recommendations.
• Capacity to design and deliver participatory workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions.

Proposal content

Prospective vendors should submit:

• A statement of interest describing the proposed team and how it meets the above requirements.
• An outline of the proposed methodology and workplan;
• CVs of key team members;
• Examples of and references for similar previous work
  • Leading desk and field-based research on land, gender, social inclusion, private sector engagement, agricultural value chains on the African continent and/or in Ghana (preferred)
  • Conducting feasibility and design oriented research and producing pragmatic recommendations
  • Leading validation workshops with key stakeholders
  • Drafting reports of similar scale, scope and focus, (in English)
  • Developing tools, policy briefs, and other publications (preferred).
• A proposed budget with a breakdown of costs sufficient to assess reasonableness and compliance with our funder requirements.

Expression of Interest, Deadline for Questions, and Proposal

All expressions of interest and questions about this RFP must be received via email, in a PDF format , to the contact below by January 20th 2025 (Washington, DC).

Name: Salima Mahamoudou

Title: Manager, Blended Finance for Restoration

[email protected]

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Evaluation Criteria

The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this RFP:

1. Technical Expertise and Experience:
2. • Demonstrated expertise in land tenure, gender equity, social inclusion, agricultural value chains, and private sector engagement in Ghana and comparative contexts.
   • Proven experience conducting feasibility studies, field-based assessments, and similar research in Ghana’s cocoa belt or comparable regions.
   • Familiarity with international best practices and standards for land-based investments, including tenure rights and community engagement.
3. Clarity, feasibility, and innovation of the proposed study design, methodology, and tools to address the key questions and deliverables outlined in the scope of work.
4. Strong existing networks and relationships with local communities, customary authorities, and relevant stakeholders in Ghana.
5. A well-defined team structure, including key personnel with relevant expertise and roles clearly aligned with the scope of work.
6. Evidence of successful delivery of similar studies or projects. References from prior clients or partners will be a plus
7. A competitive and transparent budget that demonstrates value for money while aligning with the proposed scope of work.
8. Additional insights, tools, or methodologies proposed by the vendor that add value beyond the core requirements of the RFP.

The bidder offering the best overall value will be selected. For this procurement, price and non-price aspects are considered to be of approximately equal importance.

Selection Process:

No proposal development costs shall be charged to WRI / all expenses are to be borne by the bidders. WRI may award to the bidder offering best value without discussion. However, WRI reserves the right to seek bidder clarifications and to negotiate with those bidders deemed to be within a competitive range.

WRI may, at its discretion and without explanation to the prospective organizations/consultants, etc., choose to discontinue this RFP without obligation to such prospective organizations/consultants, etc. or make multiple awards under this RFP. Contracts will not be awarded to organizations/consultants, etc. debarred by the US government or named on restricted parties lists.

[1]

[2] Rebecca McLain, Steven Lawry, Manuel R. Guariguata, James Reed,

Toward a tenure-responsive approach to forest landscape restoration: A proposed tenure diagnostic for assessing restoration opportunities,Land Use Policy,Volume 104,2021,103748

[3] AU, ADB, and UNECA (2014).

[4] https://www.land-links.org/tool-resource/operational-guidelines-for-responsible-land-based-investment/

[5] https://www.fao.org/4/i2801e/i2801e.pdf

[6] https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f05f6d3d-d434-43da-99e9-a68c04c41342/content

[7] OP cit note 2.

[8] Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong, Colin J. Macgregor, Sean Sloan, Jeffrey Sayer,

Deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion in Ghana’s forest reserves,

Scientific African,Volume 5,2019,e00146,ISSN 2468-2276,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00146.

[9] Global Forest Watch. “Tree cover in Ghana”. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/GHA/. Accessed December 5, 2024.

[10]