Value Chains and Climate-Resilient Farming for Communities around Protected Areas, Eastern and Western Highlands – Letter of Agreement 2026 Tender

About this tender

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Papua New Guinea is seeking an eligible non-commercial entity to support local communities within and around Protected Areas in the Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands provinces. The work will strengthen value chains for sustainably harvested products and make financial and market support mechanisms available to forest and farm producer organizations. It falls under Component 2.1 of the FAO GEF-7 project. This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) stage under reference FAO-PNG-NFI/2026/03, and the selected entity will be engaged through a Letter of Agreement (LoA). The assignment covers 10 clusters of National Parks, Provincial Parks, Wildlife Management Areas and Community Conservation Areas. Eastern Highlands clusters are Hogave, Veltoge, Natauka-Zamu, Crater Mountain and Mt Gahavisuka. Western Highlands clusters are Oimbo, Mt Muld, Mt Giluwe, Kuk EAWHS and Baiyer River WS. The assignment has four main outputs. First, a review of farming and forest use systems with gender-disaggregated analysis, identifying at least 10 gender-sensitive, biodiversity-friendly and climate-resilient practices. Second, support for at least 1,000 farming families organized into 20 farmer groups, implementing improved farming and forest management systems. This includes training, 10 demonstration plots, distribution of climate-resilient seeds, planting materials and hand tools, and 100 hectares of forest restoration and agroforestry. Third, value chain assessments and 10 value chain improvement plans validated through provincial stakeholder workshops. Fourth, 10 bankable business plans developed and implemented to establish viable small-scale farm enterprises. The notice does not state a contract duration or a budget. Entities that pre-qualify may be invited to submit a full proposal within four weeks of FAO's prequalification notice. Commercial entities are not eligible.

Bidder eligibility

Eligible entities include non-governmental organizations, civil society and community-based organizations, academic and research institutions, and government institutions. Commercial entities are not eligible. To qualify, entities must: (1) be a legally registered non-commercial entity; (2) not be suspended or debarred by FAO, any other UN organization, the EU or the World Bank; (3) have at least three (3) years of demonstrated experience working in the project target area(s); (4) have an established and operational office in the project target province(s) (Eastern Highlands and/or Western Highlands); and (5) submit a duly completed response form. Registration level is listed as Basic.

How bids are scored

At the EOI stage, entities are assessed for prequalification against the eligibility requirements above. Entities that pre-qualify may be invited to submit a proposal. Proposals will be assessed through a combined technical and financial evaluation. No price/quality split or weightings are disclosed in the notice.

Key requirements

• ✓Climate-resilient and sustainable farming practice implementation in highland communities
• ✓Value-chain development and market linkage support for smallholder farmers
• ✓Community engagement and livelihood improvement around protected-area buffer zones
• ✓Demonstrated experience in agricultural development and conservation in remote/fragile contexts

Procurement contact

The notice names a procurement contact for clarification questions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Regenerative agriculture funding supports soil health, cover cropping, reduced tillage, agroforestry and grazing practices that store carbon and restore land. It comes through agricultural support schemes, research programmes and supply-chain initiatives run with food companies. Applicants often need farmer partners, field trial plans and a way to monitor soil outcomes.