Terms of Reference: Building Landscape Resilience through Participatory and Data-Driven Ecological Planning

About RPLC

In the face of intensifying smallholder vulnerability, escalating climate and environmental risks, and rapidly evolving market demands, there is an urgent need to reimagine agriculture systems to serve both people and the planet. The Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative (RPLC) represents such a transformation—working to build resilient, regenerative, and nature-positive agriculture systems that deliver equitable socio-economic benefits to smallholder farmers while enabling businesses to meet their sustainability, Scope 3, and sourcing commitments through inclusive, traceable supply chains.

Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative (RPLC) has laid a strong foundation in regenerative agriculture and natural resource management, building a peer group-supported communities of practice amongst local partners. However, embedding biodiversity and landscape resilience at the heart of rural development planning calls for a more structured, codified, and scalable approach. Recognizing this, RPLC invites a Landscape Planning Strategic Partner come together in a strategic partnership to catalyze systemic change. This collaboration is aimed at:·         

• Institutionalizing ecological planning and landscape resilience planning within local governance systems by equipping Gram Panchayats and other village institutions to embed biodiversity planning and conservation and sustainable land and water management into their development processes.·         
• Developing replicable models for biodiversity assessments and the strengthening of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).·         
• Unlocking landscape-level investments through the generation of shared insights and evidence towards state and local government as well as private sector actors, that highlight the ecological and socio-economic benefits of resilient landscapes.

Together, this partnership seeks to mainstream participatory, data-driven, and nature-positive planning practices across landscapes in Madhya Pradesh and beyond.

Based on these Terms of Reference (“ToR”), IDH, as the RPLC secretariat, aims to engage a strategic knowledge and capacity-building partner (hereinafter referred to as the "Landscape Planning Strategic Partner") to design, codify, and facilitate the implementation of a standardized, participatory, and learning-oriented capacity building framework that integrates Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) principles across all landscape resilience planning, biodiversity assessment, and ecological governance interventions under the Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative (RPLC) in Madhya Pradesh.

The Landscape Planning Strategic Partner will be responsible for the end-to-end development and delivery of capacity-building solutions towards local implementation partners —including the design of training modules, implementation support, MRV-aligned data capture protocols, and learning dissemination—ensuring scalable adoption of participatory, data-driven, and ecologically grounded planning by Gram Panchayats and implementing partners (IPs).

The purpose of this partnership is to:·         

• Design and implement a standardized framework to build the capacity of Gram Panchayats, village-level institutions, and relevant government officials at the district and/or block level to integrate biodiversity and ecological resilience into planning processes.·         
• Codify and deliver participatory landscape planning tools and approaches at scale.·         
• Enable continuous learning and iteration through MRV-aligned protocols, data systems, and field validations.
• Strengthen BMCs and PBR processes as a foundation for long-term ecological governance.         
• Build capacity of implementing partners of RPLC to implement a standardized framework. 

3.1  Partnership Scope

Design and implement a standardized and participatory landscape resilience planning and biodiversity integration framework across RPLC geographies in Madhya Pradesh.RPLC recognizes that to scale ecologically grounded landscape planning meaningfully, capacity building must move beyond fragmented efforts toward a standardized, codified, and learning-oriented framework. The goal is to enable Gram Panchayats and village-level institutions to incorporate ecological considerations—such as biodiversity, soil, and water resilience—into local development planning, particularly through Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).

This assignment requires a Landscape Planning Strategic Partner with the capacity to co-develop technically robust, participatory, and MRV-aligned systems; facilitate their delivery at scale; support continuous improvement through monitoring and feedback; and foster a learning ecosystem across the RPLC landscape.

The Landscape Planning Strategic Partner will lead the end-to-end process across RPLC’s landscape planning interventions in Madhya Pradesh with a singular aim: enabling widespread, data-driven ecological governance by local institutions.With this background, the strategic partner will collaborate with the RPLC Secretariat and stakeholders around the following key tenets:

1.      Design: Define core principles for ecological planning across all intervention areas, grounded in participatory approaches and data-driven decision-making.

2.      Build Capacity: Deliver a robust Training of Trainers (ToT) model for institutional and community-level partners.

3.      Review & Monitor: Develop systems for ongoing review, feedback, calibration, and continuous improvement.

4.      Data & Insights: Generate and disseminate learnings to stakeholders, donors, and policy actors to inspire broader investment in resilient landscapes.

3.2  Objectives

The overall objective of this partnership is to:

1.      Design, codify, and standardize training modules, planning frameworks, facilitation methods, and implementation protocols that support ecological integration into local planning processes, with a focus on biodiversity, soil, and water resilience.

2.      Strengthen the capacity of local institutions—including Gram Panchayats, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), implementing partners, and government officials—to embed ecological resilience (sustainable land and water management) and biodiversity priorities into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) and related development processes.

3.      Support the documentation, preservation, and sustainable use of traditional biodiversity knowledge through the upgradation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and capacity-building of BMCs and government officials at district and/or block levels.

4.      Design and conduct participatory and scientific biodiversity assessments, including both secondary data analysis and periodic seasonal surveys of flora and fauna within agricultural and common land areas. Build capacity of implementing partners to conduct biodiversity assessments and provide continued capacity support to IPs for carrying out periodic biodiversity assessments in line with the MRV system.

5.      Support the identification and implementation of site-specific conservation actions, particularly those addressing threats to rare, endemic, or threatened species, in coordination with local stakeholders and institutions.

6.      Embed MRV-aligned ecological indicators into all training, monitoring, and planning tools to support landscape-level reporting, impact measurement, and learning.

7.      Enable a robust learning ecosystem by convening Communities of Practice and multi-stakeholder workshops, synthesizing insights from the field, and disseminating evidence-based learnings to brands, donors, and policy actors.

8.      Generate actionable data and insights to inform replication, public program alignment, and “landscape-level” investments that strengthen long-term ecological and institutional resilience.

3.3  Concrete outputs

• Propose a unified Landscape Resilience and Biodiversity Planning Framework based on the Design–Codify–Build–Review–Learn approach.
• Develop training materials and modules aligned with national standards for ecological integration into GPDPs, PBR development, BMC strengthening, biodiversity documentation, and conservation planning. Integrate all intervention areas with RPLC’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework and Management Information System (MIS).
• Facilitate sessions at Compact Meetings + build/support a Communities of Practice amongst local partners to share experiences and build momentum.
• Document and disseminate case studies, best practices, and insights to inform replication, policy alignment, and landscape investments.

The Landscape Planning Strategic Partner will play a central role as both a technical and facilitative anchor. 

4.1 Technical Leadership & Strategic Design

• Act as the lead technical partner responsible for designing, codifying, and operationalizing the Landscape Resilience and Biodiversity Planning Framework.
• Ensure the framework reflects participatory planning principles, integration with local governance (e.g., GPDPs), and application of ecological science and MRV-aligned tools.
• Translate global biodiversity science and conservation practices into locally contextualized, field-ready approaches.

4.2  Capacity Building 

• Design and implement a robust capacity building plan.
• Deliver inclusive and localized training to local partners — to engage Gram Panchayat members, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), IPs, Government officials, and local communities.

4.3  Field Implementation & Operational Management

• Provide close technical assistance during the rollout of PBR upgradation, conservation plans, and periodic biodiversity monitoring.
• Coordinate with local implementation partners to ensure quality delivery of activities at scale - including biodiversity surveys/assessments, conservation actions, GPDP integration processes, and data collection systems in targeted villages.

4.4  MRV Integration & Data System Alignment

• Integrate ecological resilience and biodiversity related data streams with the RPLC MIS and ensure robust, scalable data collection templates and systems are in place.

4.5  Stakeholder Facilitation & Knowledge Co-Creation

• Co-create and facilitate multi-stakeholder learning platforms and Communities of Practice to encourage reflection, dialogue, and knowledge exchange.

4.6   Offer actionable recommendations for public-private collaboration, public program alignment (e.g., with GPDPs, biodiversity missions), and long-term institutionalization of systems. Documentation, Learning & Dissemination

• Systematically document best practices, lessons learned, and field observations from biodiversity governance, planning, and conservation.
• Generate insights (case studies, data summaries, reports) for external stakeholders, brands, donors, and government departments.

4.7  Adaptive Project Management & Continuous Improvement

• Employ an adaptive and iterative approach to project management, with periodic reviews, field validations, and adjustments to design and implementation.
• Implement quality assurance protocols for all frameworks, tools, and delivery mechanisms.
• Ensure continuous improvement loops are established across training, field activities, data management, and stakeholder engagement.

In summary, the Landscape Planning Strategic Partner is expected to deliver a transformative capacity-building, planning, and conservation model that not only strengthens local institutions but also generates lasting ecological impact, cross-sectoral engagement, and scalable pathways for replication within and beyond RPLC geographies.

To ensure the long-term effectiveness, inclusivity, and replicability of the assignment, the Landscape Planning Strategic Partner is also expected to:

5.1 Integrate Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Principles

• Embed inclusive practices in all planning, training, and facilitation processes to ensure active participation and leadership from women, tribal populations, and marginalized groups.
• Develop specific strategies and tools to monitor and enhance equity outcomes within biodiversity planning and governance systems.

5.2  Apply Risk Mitigation and Safeguards

• Identify and address potential social, environmental, and operational risks linked to biodiversity interventions and ecological planning. 
• Propose context-specific safeguards to minimize unintended consequences and ensure community consent and benefit.

• Organizations (non-profit, research, or technical institutions) with demonstrated experience in ecological or landscape-level planning, biodiversity governance, or natural resource management.
• Experience in working with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), state or district-level governance systems, and community-led conservation will be preferred.
• Capacity to deploy a multi-disciplinary team covering biodiversity, GIS, and socio-institutional domains.
• Prior experience working in Madhya Pradesh or Central India will be an advantage.
• FCRA and Legal Compliance: Organizations receiving or intending to receive foreign contributions under this assignment must possess a valid FCRA registration or prior approval as per Government of India regulations Or Entity can provide services as an export to our Netherland Based Organisation.

1. ToR publication and call for applications: 4th November 2025
2. AMA (Ask Me Anything) session for interested organizations: 6th November 2025
3. Deadline for submission of proposals: 20th November 2025
4. Review and shortlisting of applicants: 27th November 2025
5. Final selection and communication to selected partner: 1st December 2025

Interested organizations are requested to submit:

• A technical proposal outlining their understanding of the assignment, proposed approach, methodology, and key team members.
• A financial proposal with a clear cost structure (professional fees, travel, logistics, etc.).
• Relevant organizational documents (e.g., registration certificate, FCRA certificate, similar project experience).

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance and quality of technical proposal – 40%
• Institutional experience and team composition – 30%
• Cost-effectiveness and financial proposal – 20%
• Innovation, scalability, and sustainability approach – 10%

This Terms of Reference sets out an ambitious and collaborative vision for embedding biodiversity and ecological resilience into grassroots governance in Madhya Pradesh through the strategic partnership between RPLC and Landscape Planning Strategic Partner . The Landscape Planning Strategic Partner will be expected to bring not only technical expertise but also a deep commitment to co-creation, equity, and sustainability. Through this assignment, we aim to build replicable models that can inform state, national, and global approaches to nature-positive, climate-resilient, and community-led landscape planning.

All participants will ensure that all its contacts with IDH, with regards to the tender, during the tender procedure take place exclusively in writing by e-mail  Amol Gawande or Vikramjeet Sharma at gawande@idhtrade.org or vikramjeetsharma@idhtrade.org The participants is thus explicitly prohibited, to prevent discrimination of the other participants and to ensure the diligence of the procedure, to have any contact whatsoever regarding the tender with any other persons of IDH than the person stated in the first sentence of this paragraph. 

The documents provided by or on behalf of IDH will be handled confidentially. The Applicants will also impose a duty of confidentiality on any parties that it engages. Any breach of the duty of confidentiality by the Applicant or its engaged third parties will give IDH grounds for exclusion of the Applicant, without requiring any prior written or verbal warning.  

All information, documents and other requested or provided data submitted by the Applicant will be handled with due care and confidentiality by IDH. The provided information will after evaluation by IDH be filed as confidential. The provided information will not be returned to the Applicant. 

IDH respects the effort and time that participants are expected to put into this tender procedure. However, IDH has to use its financial means as economically as possible. Therefore, IDH will not remunerate participants for their interest and/or participation in the tender procedure.  

IDH reserves the right to update, change, extend, postpone, withdraw, or suspend the ToR, this tender procedure, or any decision regarding the selection or contract award. IDH is not obliged in this tender procedure to make a contract award decision or to conclude a contract with a participant.  Participants in the tender procedure cannot claim compensation from IDH, any affiliated persons or entities, in any case any of the afore-mentioned situations occur. By handing in a proposal, participants accept all terms and reservations made in this ToR, and subsequent information and documentation in this tender procedure.