Background and Purpose:

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a multilateral financing mechanism established to support climate action in the Caribbean and, by extension, developing countries. In fulfilling its mandate, the GCF responds to climate change through strategic investments in actions that will result in low-emission and climate-resilient development. These strategic investments will limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in developing countries and help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Several windows for financing and technical support for a programmatic approach are available to engage the GCF for the implementation of climate actions.  These include funding windows for mitigation and adaptation, the Private Sector Facility, the Readiness and Preparatory Support Program, a REDD+ results-based payment program, and an Enhanced Direct Access Program designed to enhance funding access by sub-national, national, regional, public, and private entities. 

In 2018, the GCF accredited the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) as a national Direct Access Entity. This role requires PACT to take on several responsibilities associated with the delivery of impactful projects within the priorities of the Fund, of PACT, and of Belize’s National Climate Change Policy & Plan, and related frameworks. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Belize’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF, PACT has received approval for financing under a Readiness and Preparatory Support Project titled, “Strengthening technical and institutional capacities of Galen University, BLPA, PACT, BNPAS and the Government of Belize to access Climate Finance.”  

This project is to be executed over an 18-month implementation period. This project will contribute to reducing the vulnerability to the impacts of climate change in Belize by facilitating the coherent integration of climate change adaptation into the public sector, programs, and projects within the country. Belize will create partnerships with the public sector to build resilient livelihoods and minimize climate vulnerabilities of communities; and conserve and increase the resilience of the agriculture sector, academia, NGOs, Government, and within Belize in general. 

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), as Belize’s Direct Access Entity (DAE) for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is committed to fostering climate-resilient and sustainable development initiatives within the country. Recognizing the critical role of robust project preparation, PACT seeks a Project Development Firm (the Firm) to conduct a prefeasibility study for a potential GCF-funded project ‘Enhancing Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods for Indigenous Maya Communities in Belize’. This study will assess the baseline, viability and potential impact of the proposed project, ensuring its alignment with national priorities and GCF investment criteria. The prefeasibility study will follow industry best practices, starting with an inception report and culminating in a project closure report.

Led by the Julian Cho Society (JCS), the project seeks to enhance the climate resilience of 39 inland Indigenous Maya villages in southern Belize[1], one of the country’s most climate-vulnerable regions. In response to erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and ecosystem degradation, the project strengthens livelihoods, food security, and cultural continuity by revitalizing Maya food systems, restoring forest ecosystems, and reinforcing equitable systems of exchange. By anchoring adaptation in Indigenous knowledge, governance, and values, the initiative demonstrates a paradigm shift from externally driven adaptation to territorially grounded resilience. Through this project, the JCS would like to achieve the following components:

1. 1. 1. Maya communities adopt climate-resilient agroecological farming systems, rooted in traditional ecological knowledge and supported by localized extension services, leading to strengthened food security and reduced vulnerability to droughts and erratic rainfall
      2. Maya communities restore and govern forests through integrated knowledge and territorial frameworks, strengthening food security and ecosystem resilience to climate change
      3. Community-based agroecological value chains strengthened to generate climate-resilient livelihoods, add value to local surpluses, and enable fair market participation, while respecting Maya social norms and collective land arrangements.

Scope of Work

The pre-feasibility study will assess the technical, financial, social and institutional feasibility of the proposed Indigenous-led climate adaptation project in southern Belize.

The study will:

• • • Analyse climate change trends, impacts, and vulnerabilities through the framework of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, with a focused assessment of the specific risks and challenges faced by 39 Maya communities.
    • Identify appropriate response actions to address the climate risks identified and assess the feasibility of these actions in terms of technological options, cost-effectiveness, theory of change, direct and indirect beneficiaries and required institutional and community capacities.

• • • Identify and assess the institutional and financial arrangements required to support community-led implementation and ensure long-term sustainability.

• • • Conduct an environmental and social risk assessment of the proposed response actions, consistent with the requirements of a GCF Category C project.

The Firm will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive prefeasibility study, adhering to the following stages:

1. Inception Report Development (Week 1-2):
   • • Within two weeks of contract signing, the Firm will submit an Inception Report that details the proposed methodology, timeline, consultation plan and team composition for the prefeasibility study.
     • The Firm will have 1-2 meetings with the Client to review the draft concept note and approach to pre-feasibility study.
     • The Inception report will outline the work plan, the methodology and approach to data collection and analysis, stakeholder engagement strategy, and reporting deliverables.

2. Data Collection and Analysis (Week 3-4):

• • • Collect and analyse relevant data, including country baseline, climate, socio-economic, environmental, and technical information, to assess the project’s potential impact and feasibility.
    • The country baseline and climate components will be solely based on existing datasets, and the other studies should include a combination of desk studies (existing datasets, review of primary and secondary data sources).

3. Baseline Assessment (Week 5-8):

• • • Describe the geophysical (e.g., existing water sources, infrastructure) demographic and socio-economic (e.g., governance systems in target villages) overview of Belize, with special emphasis on the selected Maya communities in the Toledo District. This should include socio-economic vulnerabilities such as youth migration, women’s unpaid labor, and poverty dynamics.
    • Describe the climate profile (including 30-year trends) and climate change projections for Belize.
    • Describe the localized climate profile and climate change projections for the Toledo District.
    • Document current agroforestry practices, market linkages, and Indigenous knowledge systems relevant to the project based on existing studies.

4. Technical and Financial Assessment (Weeks 9-12):

• • • Conduct a preliminary technical assessment to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed project design, technology options, and implementation strategies considering environmental and social safeguards (see below), gender, beneficiaries, coherence and complementarity.
    • Develop a preliminary financial model to assess the project’s financial viability, including potential costs, revenues, and funding sources.

5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Screening (Weeks 9-12):

• • • Conduct a preliminary screening of potential environmental and social impacts associated with the project based on requirements of the GCF and CCCCC (Environmental and Social Safeguards and Indigenous Peoples Policy).
    • Identify potential risks and mitigation measures to ensure compliance with GCF environmental and social safeguards.

6. Stakeholder Consultation (Weeks 13-16):

• • • The Firm will undertake targeted consultations strictly necessary to inform and validate the baseline analysis and technical/financial feasibility (e.g., with technical agencies, data holders, and academic institutions). Engagement with the NDA, government agencies, Maya communities, and other key stakeholders will be led by JCS, with the Firm providing analytical backstopping and inputs as requested.
    • Document consultation findings and integrate feedback into the prefeasibility study.

7. Implementation and Sustainability (Weeks 13-16):

• • • Review the proposed implementation arrangements and provide suggestions for the project management team, supporting committees, risk assessment and mitigation, monitoring and evaluation, grievance redress mechanism, and procurement.
    • Describe strategies for sustainability within the proposed project inclusive of the theory of change and project exit strategy.

8. Draft Prefeasibility Study Report (Weeks 17-20):

• • • Prepare a comprehensive draft prefeasibility study report that synthesizes the findings from data collection, baseline assessment, technical and financial assessments, and environmental, social safeguards screening and stakeholder consultations.
    • The report will include a detailed analysis of the project’s potential benefits, risks, and challenges.
    • The draft must include recommendations for strengthening the (i) climate rationale, (ii) theory of change, (iii) incremental cost reasoning, (iv) institutional/ governance arrangements, (v) risk assessment with mitigation measures, and (vi) indicative safeguards profile.

9. Review and Validation (Weeks 21-22):

• • • Submit the draft prefeasibility study report to PACT and key stakeholders (5Cs and JCS) for review and feedback.
    • Incorporate feedback and revise the report to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with GCF guidelines.

10. Final Prefeasibility Study Report (Weeks 22-24):

• • • Prepare the final prefeasibility study report, incorporating all feedback and revisions.
    • Submit the final report to PACT for acceptance.
    • Annexes must include datasets, stakeholder consultation records, maps, cost tables, and safeguard screening checklists.

Schedule of Work

Qualifications and Experience

The Project Development Firm must meet the following criteria:

1. Core Team Expertise:
   • • Key personnel must possess advanced degrees (Master’s or Doctorate) in relevant fields such as economics, environmental science, climate finance, engineering, or related disciplines.

2. Demonstrated Experience:
   • • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in conducting prefeasibility studies, project appraisals, and technical assessments for infrastructure and climate-related projects.
     • Proven experience working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, particularly in the context of conservation or climate finance.
3. Technical Skills:
   • • Proven ability to conduct technical, financial, environmental, social and gender assessments.
     • Proficiency in data analysis, economic modelling, and report writing.
4. Understanding of Climate Finance:
   • • Familiarity with Green Climate Fund (GCF) policies, procedures, and investment criteria.
5. Stakeholder Engagement Skills:
   • • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.

Reporting Structure

The Firm will report directly to PACT’s Readiness 13 Project Coordinator. Regular updates will be provided during scheduled meetings to ensure alignment with project goals and address any emerging issues.

[1] Communities in the context of this project include the following Maya communities in Toledo: Maya Mopan, San Pablo, San Isidoro, Bladen, Medina Bank, Golden Stream, Indian Creek, Silver Creek, Big Falls, San Miguel, Crique Jute, San Pedro Columbia, San Marcos, Na Luum Ca, San Jose, San Antonio, Blue Creek, Laguna, San Felipe, Santa Cruz, Santa Elena, Jordan, San Vicente, Pueblo Viejo, Aguacate, Santa Teresa, Santa Ana, Boom Creek, Jalacate, San Benito Poite, Mabil Ha, Midway, San Lucas, Conejo, Corazon, Sunday Wood, Otoxha, Crique Sarco, Dolores, Machakil Ha, Graham Creek.