(CLOSED) Cameroon and CAFI launch their partnership first Calls for Expressions of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is CAFI and what is its partnership with Cameroon? 

The Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is a multi-donor initiative that supports six Central African countries in achieving the objectives of the  Paris Climate Accords and the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework, eliminating poverty and working towards sustainable development.

This support materializes through enabling, reform and on-the-ground programmes, coupled with high-level political dialogue. CAFI currently has nine donors: the United Kingdom (current Chair), Germany, Belgium, South Korea, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the European Union. CAFI is both a public trust fund and a platform for political dialogue. CAFI engages with the countries of Central Africa through Letters of Intent which set political objectives in exchange for financial support.

To date, CAFI has signed letters of intent with the DRC, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. Cameroon signed the CAFI Joint Statement in 2015, but the country has yet to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) as the basis for broader CAFI engagement.

By letter dated January 18, 2022, the Presidency of Cameroon confirmed that MINEPAT is officially mandated to coordinate the partnership with CAFI which will be implemented in several phases as follows:

• Start-up phase (2024-2026)

In order to prepare the ground for the negotiation and signing of a long-term partnership between Cameroon and CAFI, the partners have decided to carry out a three-year pilot phase. Its objective will be to strengthen the capacities of national authorities and Decentralized Territorial Collectivities (CTD) for strengthened and inclusive intersectoral and multi-level coordination, and for strategic and spatial planning, to move towards a "Green Economy" in close line with the objectives and strategic axes of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30) and the Rural Sector Development Strategy and the National Agricultural Investment Plan 2020-2030 (SDSR/PNIA 2030).

A series of projects will be implemented during this phase (see next section on the process of developing investment projects as part of the start-up phase of the CAFI-Cameroon partnership).

• Engagement phase (2026-2030)

Using the resources provided to the Government of Cameroon through a cross-sector and multi-level coordination support project of the partnership (the subject of this MAI), the engagement process takes place as follows:

- The Government of Cameroon defines policy commitments in line with SND30 and sectoral strategies with relevant outcomes/milestones to reduce/minimize deforestation and forest degradation associated with the development of competitive Cameroonian commodity value chains that ensure food security .

- The Government of Cameroon is preparing a plan comprising a series of projects or programs with detailed cost estimates for the implementation of these political commitments.

- The CAFI Board of Directors makes funding commitments based on the political commitments of the Government of Cameroon and the cost estimate presented as part of the planning.

• Scale-up phase (beyond 2027)

In their cooperation, the partners intend to seek a proportional and progressive increase in funding, actions and the achievement of milestones/results, which is why the engagement process described above will be repeated over time.

Additional funding may be allocated to Cameroon on the basis of demonstrated needs to implement its political commitments and/or strengthen existing projects/programmes with demonstrated results.

2. What is the purpose of these Calls for Expression of Interest (EoI)? 

The objective of the AMIs is to select the implementing organisations that will support the Government of Cameroon in the implementation of the projects of the start-up phase of the Partnership between CAFI and Cameroon.

Each candidate must meet the guidelines set by the following documents: 

• The Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) specifies the general and specific conditions relating to submissions,

• The completed Note for Expressions of Interest (see template in link above),

• The questionnaire to be completed by UN implementing agencies regarding eligibility to access CAFI funding attached to the EoI (if applicable), and

• The summary of the pilot projects/programs for the start-up phase can be found in the annex of the EoI.

Applications are made in the form of Notes of Expression of Interest, with a view to developing a pre-identified project or program proposal (see 'Summary of pilot projects/programmes for the start-up phase' found in the EoI).

The submission of a Note of Expression of Interest shows a party is interested in bidding for the implementation of CAFI funding in support of the implementation of one pre-identified project or programme. Submission of one Note per project is required (please do not submit one note for more than one project).

3. Which organisations are eligible? 

Bidders or bidding consortia may be the following entities, in accordance with CAFI's legal framework:

• UN Agencies ; 

• The World Bank ; 

• Entities of International Bilateral Cooperation (such as KFW, ENABEL, AFD, GIZ, USAID, JICA, SNV, etc.) already accredited with CAFI;

• International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) or international research institutes (non-profit), provided that they meet the following criteria:

  • Have a collaboration agreement with Cameroon, or be in the process of obtaining this agreement or commit to obtaining it because they are able to present all the characteristics required to do so;

  •  Have carried out projects with a total cost of at least 5 million USD in Cameroon or in the Congo Basin region over the last 5 years (Equivalent experience in other tropical regions may also be considered);

  • Demonstrate a low level of fiduciary risk based on an independent United Nations standard assessment such as HACT (Harmonized Review for Cash Transfer); This HACT assessment may be carried out after the selection of the expression of interest but must be carried out before any finalization of the legal agreement and transfer of money;

  • Demonstrate a positive assessment of the entity's procedures to address sexual abuse and to address environmental and social safeguards;

CAFI encourages the formation of capacity consortia, particularly between implementing organisations with direct access to CAFI funds as well as those without.

CAFI also strongly encourages the mapping or pre-identification of national organisations as local executing agencies and/or the development of approaches and operational arrangements allowing part of the activities to be delegated to national implementation modalities, thereby strengthening local actors and in a logic of sustainability. This should be noted in the responses to the expressions of interest when possible and relevant but especially at the stage of formulation of complete project proposals. In this case, the feasibility studies will include the capacity building programme, in particular fiduciary, allowing the application and rigorous supervision of the management of activities.

4. How and when can one respond? 

Bidders must express their interest in the form of Notes of Expressions of Interest for the development of one or more project or programme proposals.

The submission of a Note of Expression of Interest expresses the interest in bidding for the implementation of CAFI financing in support of the implementation of one or more pre-identified projects or programs (see 'Summary of projects /pilot programs for the start-up phase' found in the annex of the EoI).

A Note of Expression of Interest presents, in brief:

1. understanding of the theory of change and its application in the theme(s) considered;
2. the management capacity of the lead organization or even of a consortium.

This Note of Expression of Interest makes it possible to enter into a dialogue with the CAFI Secretariat and the Government of Cameroon on the programmatic orientations of the project(s) or programme(s) considered.

This submission can be made individually or on behalf of a consortium of national and international organisations. The pre-identification of a consortium of national and international organisations, if possible and relevant at this preliminary stage, makes it possible to highlight the respective and combined strengths of the latter on one or more determined themes.

A successful bid allows, on request, to obtain for certain types of projects or programmes (investment in the field) a preparation grant which aims to conduct a feasibility study and then develop a project proposal.

5. Are there any other steps in the process of accessing CAFI funding for non-UN organisations? 

The eligibility of non-UN organisations meeting the above criteria does not guarantee automatic access to the CAFI Trust Fund. Eligibility must be confirmed after fiduciary assessment (HACT) of applicants by the Multi-Partner Fund Office (MPTF-O) and is subject to the approval of the CAFI Board of Directors, based on assessment.

6. How can non-eligible organizations participate in the call and/or the project(s)?

National NGOs and the private sector, which do not have direct access to CAFI funding, are invited to contact the CAFI implementing organisations to indicate their interest in working on one or more components of the pre-identified projects and initiate discussions on technical and operational elements.

7. What format should I use for expressions of interest?

The template to be completed for the expression of interest notes can be found in Annex 2 of the EoI.

The tenderer must submit this outline completed and written in French or in English (note that the templates are in French but can be completed in English).

The submission may not exceed 15 pages for the expressions (additional documents not included).

Bidders are free to send an expression of interest as a file in .pdf format, but a version of the document in .doc or .docx format is mandatory.

All submissions are considered public.

8. What is the timetable and method for sending expression of interest notes?

Expressions of interest notes should be sent by email to the following address: eoi.cafi@undp.org.

Submissions must be received no later than June 23, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. GMT with the following mentions:

Subject: CAFI submission, for AMI 2023/01/CMR OR AMI 2023/02/CMR

ATTN: CAFI Fund Secretariat

9. What is the process for reviewing Expressions of Interest? 

The CAFI Secretariat will carry out, in consultation with the national party, the evaluation of expressions of interest in two stages:

Step 1: Review of the conformity of the expressions of interest received

Expressions of interest that do not meet the following minimum criteria will be disqualified:

• The implementing organisation (lead partner in the case of a consortium) is eligible in accordance with the definitions provided in section 4.1.
• The expression of interest file is complete, including the expression of interest note in the expected format duly completed and the documents listed in section 4.2.
• The implementing organisation (or consortium) has demonstrated sufficient capacity to implement the selected project(s)
• The implementation approach is in line with the expectations of the selected project(s) presented in Annex 1 (Summary of pilot projects/programmes for the start-up phase).

Step 2: Evaluation of expressions of interest

Expressions of Interest will be evaluated based on the criteria set out in Section 4.5 of the EoI.

10. What types of programmes and projects are planned? 

Three additional projects are the subject of another "General EoI", published in parallel to the first:

• An integrated management project of the landscape of Grand Mbam will be implemented in order to strengthen decentralized capacities for: land use planning and governance of natural resources; and cross-sectoral coordination in the respective City and Regional Councils, with a view to testing standardized incentive approaches that can convert into “jurisdictional” emission reduction programmes in the engagement and expansion phases of the partnership.

• Two national projects with:

1. A land-use planning project will consolidate and reinforce the ongoing work of several ministries supported in particular by the German Cooperation and the European Union on participatory land-use planning, mapping and monitoring of land use. and land use change.
2. A Cocoa and Coffee Sector Development Fund (FODECC) support project for the operationalization of a financing mechanism for the agroecological transition of the cocoa and coffee sectors will make it possible to design and deploy a direct support mechanism for producers.

11. What financial means are available?

These calls for EoI aim to develop a pipeline of projects to secure an initial portfolio of effective projects of approximately USD 60 million.

This amount will be broken down between the pre-identified projects, subject of these CEIs, according to the needs estimated and justified in the project/programme documents and according to the arbitrations carried out by CAFI and the Government of Cameroon. The amounts estimated in Annex 1 per project are given for information only.

Additional amounts may be mobilised in the event that other innovative and performance-based project ideas are received and evaluated favorably in support of the sustainable intensification of agriculture and the agro-ecological transition targeting small producers and/or private companies.

The total amount of the EoI will be allocated to several implementing partners, and will therefore be the subject of several projects/programmes, taking into account the expressions of interest received and the evaluation that will be made of them. The financial arbitrations by program will be made after the expression of interest phase, depending on the outcome of the feasibility studies, the quality of the complete project or programme proposals received and the overall composition of the portfolio. The allocation of preparation grants only constitutes support for the conduct of feasibility studies and the development of complete project or programme proposals.

Under no circumstances, neither CAFI nor the Government of Cameroon make the commitment to finance the projects/programmes resulting from the feasibility studies having benefited from the preparation grants. The possible approval of projects or programs will take place at a later stage, according to the Terms of Reference of the CAFI fund and the institutional arrangements agreed between the two Parties.

A note of expression of interest may include a request for a preparation grant ranging from 100,000 USD to a strict maximum of 500,000 USD, allowing the financing of all or part of the feasibility study and then the writing of the project proposal. complete. Only investment projects/programmes in the field and projects/programmes targeting cross-cutting services may be the subject of a preparation grant (sectoral investment projects or territorial approaches; private sector, NGO and PES platform).

Budgets accompanying expressions of interest should be submitted in US dollars (USD) and follow the UNDG format. Indirect costs cannot exceed 7%. As an indication, the following preparation grant amounts are envisaged for various volumes of target projects/programmes:

The amounts requested must be duly justified, and will remain subject to the approval of the CAFI Secretariat depending on the complexity of the topic considered.

The studies and their data financed under a preparation grant must be fully made available to CAFI and the Government of Cameroon, and comply with the related visibility and communication obligations.

After the signing of the project document for the preparation grant between the implementing organisation and the Government of Cameroon, the funds will be transferred in accordance with the agreements with CAFI's Administrative Agent.

The implementing body applies its own financial management rules and regulations consistent with the implementation terms defined in the expression of interest note and then the CAFI project or programme document.

12. How long is the support offered?

Completion of feasibility studies and development of a complete project proposal: Maximum of 6 months (unless justification duly accepted by CAFI due to the complexity of the programme).

Target projects or programs: Between 2 and 5 years with possibility of extension.

13. What documents should be consulted before submitting a Note of expression of interest? 

Please note that many of these documents are only available in French. Links are included when available. Documents without direct links can be found via this link.

For all projects :

• General and particular conditions listed in the Call for Expressions of Interest. 

• National Development Strategy (SND) 2020-2030. https://erc.undp.org/evaluation/managementresponses/keyaction/documents/download/6329  

• Development Strategy for the Rural Sector (SDSR) and National Agricultural Investment Plan -  (2020-2030).

• Nationally Determined Contribution for Cameroon (revised Sept 2021). https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/CDN%20r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9e%20CMR%20finale%20sept%202021.pdf  

• National Strategy on Emissions Reduction from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Sustainable Development of Forests, Forest Conservation and Increasing Carbon Stocks (REDD+ National Strategy), MINEPDED (Sept 2021). https://minepded.gov.cm/2021/09/29/strategie-nationale-redd/ ou https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/Cmr186285.pdf   

For the Intersectoral and Multi-Level Project:

• Order establishing the Orientation and Supervision Committee for the implementation of the Rural Sector Development Strategy
• DECREE No. 2021/1541/PM, 23 March 2021 on the creation, organisation and functioning of the National Committee for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030
• DECREE No. 2018/9387/CAB/PM, 30 Nov 2018 setting the terms for the creation, organization and functioning of interministerial and ministerial committees and working groups.
• The draft updated document on the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Palm Oil Value Chain 2021 – 2030 (MINADER December 2020).

For the Project to Reinforce Capacities for Land Use Planning: 

• The Orientation Law (2011) on the Planning and Sustainable Development of the Territory. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/Cmr192524.pdf  

• Law No. 2004-003 of April 21. 2004 governing town planning in Cameroon https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/cmr50066.pdf 

•  

  The Methodological Guide for the Development of Local Land Development Plans (PLADDT). (MINEPAT, December 2021)

• The Methodological Guide for the preparation of Regional Development Plans (MINDDEVEL, 2022)

• The Methodological Guide for prioritising opening up production basins.

For the project supporting FODECC and a finance mechanism for the agro-ecological transition of cacao and coffee: 

• The Orientation Guide for the national policy for granting agropastoral subsidies (developed and validated by MINADER and MINEPIA in 2018).
• Manual of subsidy procedures for agricultural inputs and equipment - categories 1 and 2 productive in Cameroon (MINADER, August 2019).
• Operational Manual for the Cocoa/Coffee Producers Window (FODECC June 2021).
• Explanatory comics (volume 1 and 2) for the implementation of the FODECC Producers Window 2021 and 2023.
• Presentation notes of the Agroecological Transition Financing Mechanism for the Cocoa and Coffee Sectors (AT Egis 2023).

For the integrated landscape project in Grand Mbam :

• Technical Sheet for the Land Development and Facilities Project for Large Agricultural Producers in the Central Plain (available from MINADER, 2023)

• Concept for the Forest Investment Program (FIP) in Cameroon / Forest Investment Plan (Cameroon) (MINEPDED, Nov 2017) https://www.cif.org/sites/cif_enc/files/fip_ip_cameroon.pdf  

• Concept notes and Progress reports on the implementation of the Green Cocoa Landscape Program (available from MINCOMMERCE and IDH). https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/news/green-cocoa-landscape-program-launched-in-cameroon/   

• Concept notes and progress reports on the implementation of the Roadmap for Cocoa Free from Deforestation (available from MINCOMMERCE, MINADER and iDH). https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/initiative/roadmap-cameroon/ 

• Strategic document for the reform of the seed fund (MINADER - October 15, 2020).

• Concept notes and progress reports on the implementation of the Global project on forest landscape restoration and good governance in the forest sector (Forests4Future) – available from GIZ Cameroon

• Concept notes and progress reports on the implementation of African Forest Landscape Restoration (AFR100) https://afr100.org/content/forests4future-giving-forests-future  

• The framework documents for the creation and operation of FEICOM: https://feicom.cm/le-feicom/ et https://feicom.cm/nos-publications/  

Others: 

• Law No. 2019/024 of December 24, 2019 on the general code of decentralised local authorities. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/Cmr192567.pdf  

• Law No. 96/06 of January 18, 1996 Revising the Constitution of June 2, 1972, amended and supplemented by Law No. 2008/001 of April 14, 2008. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/cmr117236.pdf  

• Law No. 2016-17 of 14 December 2016 on the Mining Code / Law No. 2016/017 of 14 December instituting the Mining Code. http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/Cmr174229.pdf  

• Law No. 94/01 establishing the forest, wildlife and fisheries regime. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/cmr4845.pdf  

• Law No. 96/12 OF AUGUST 05, 1996 on the framework law relating to environmental management.https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/cmr19578.pdf  

14. What are the expectations for stakeholder consultation?

Implementing organisations are encouraged to liaise with the sector ministry(ies) and/or national agency(ies) involved in the project(s) to which one(s) they express their interest, but always under the coordination of MINEPAT.

MINEPAT will organise information sessions with the focal points of each of the ministries concerned and will facilitate consultations in order to ensure effective exchanges with national entities.

In order to avoid creating expectations, it is not recommended that implementing organizations engage directly with local stakeholders at this stage. Once selected, the implementing organisations will have sufficient time to carry out thorough consultations with the national stakeholders affected by the project(s).

When formulating full project proposals, it is essential that implementing organisations ensure a process of consultation with different stakeholders, including Cameroonian institutions and national civil society, and outline the steps to be taken in this process. regard in the concept note document.

15. How are the projects linked and what mechanism will ensure coordination between the projects?

The CAFI initiative in Cameroon during the 3-year start-up phase will benefit from financial support in the form of a grant of 60 million dollars, with the possibility of additional support in the form of loans to economic operators through parallel mechanisms set up by CAFI at the regional level. The start-up phase plans to finance four projects which must be well coordinated with each other.

First, an Intersectoral and Multi-Level Coordination Project provides technical and financial resources to MINEPAT and other sector ministries to:

• Strengthen the intersectoral and multi-level coordination structures and capacities essential for the partnership;
• Finalise key national strategies/plans;
• Prepare a reform roadmap, identifying political commitments for a future letter of intent; and
• Accelerate a pipeline of future investment projects.

This coordination project is therefore essential for the success of the start-up phase of the CAFI-Cameroon Partnership and to guide the investments made on the ground by other projects, and during the subsequent phases of engagement and investment. The CAFI Secretariat therefore drafted the project document.

The coordination structures set up by this project will also ensure interministerial coordination and central interactors in the partnership between CAFI and Cameroon. The implementing body of this project will have to jointly develop with MINEPAT, the coordination mechanism through which the coordination between all the projects of the start-up phase will be ensured.

Second, an integrated management project for the Grand Mbam landscape project will be implemented to build decentralized capacities for: land use planning and natural resource governance; and cross-sectoral coordination in the respective Municipal and Regional Councils, with a view to testing standardised approaches that will enable the Grand Mbam landscape to become a “jurisdictional” emission reduction programme in the commitment and expansion phases of the partnership.

Thirdly, a land-use planning project will consolidate and reinforce the ongoing work of several ministries supported in particular by the German Cooperation and the European Union on participatory land-use planning, mapping and monitoring the use of land and land use change. It will establish a standardised national capacity to support the Decentralized Territorial Collectivities (CTD) in the preparation of land use plans and plans at regional and municipal level. It will also review efforts to secure land ownership for local communities and agricultural investors and draw lessons to guide future reforms. It will provide technical and financial support to interested municipal communes (in addition to those located in Grand Mbam) to prepare, approve and monitor the implementation of local land use and sustainable development plans (PLADDT) for consensual adoption. This project will be piloted by MINEPAT in collaboration with MINDDEVEL and the sector Ministries.

Fourthly, a pilot programme to support the sustainable intensification of agriculture and the agro-ecological transition will make it possible to design and deploy a direct support mechanism for producers through the "Cocoa and Coffee Sector Development Fund" (FODECC ). This project is based on the process of negotiating budgetary support from the European Union to design a manual of procedures for a future “Agroecological Transformation Window”. In this first phase CAFI could also support the "Producer Window which provides results-based agricultural subsidies." The financial resources of the project will be available to several regions and municipalities but with an emphasis on Grand Mbam, in accordance with PLADDT adopted at the level of one or more municipalities. Lessons learned from all pilot projects and programs in terms of the need for reforms and cross-sector and multi-level coordination will inform the development of CAFI's future investment pipeline.

16. Who do I contact if I still have questions?

We advise you to read the Call for expressions of interest carefully, then to refer to these frequently asked questions, which will be updated regularly. If you still have questions, they should be sent by email to eoi.cafi@undp.org specifying your surname, first name and organization. Please note that for the sake of transparency and equity, only questions sent to eoi.cafi@undp.org will be answered.