HCLFoundation invites proposals from NGOs/NPOs for ‘Coastal and Marine eco-restoration work (addressing ghost nets)’ in FY 2024-25, under its flagship programme Harit by HCLFoundation Implementation

Last date for submission July 20, 2024

HCLFoundation delivers the corporate social responsibility agenda of HCLTech in India through its flagship programmes and special initiatives. As a not-for-profit organization, it strives to contribute towards national and international development goals, bringing about positive impact in the lives of people through long-term sustainable programmes. HCLFoundation aims to alleviate poverty and achieve inclusive growth and development through life cycle-based, integrated community development approach that focuses on Education, Health, Skill Development and Livelihood, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Response. At present, it is implementing five flagship programmes, Samuday and HCLTech Grant (Rural Development); Uday and My Clean City (Urban Development); Harit – (Environment Action) and 4 special initiatives of Power of One, Sports for Change, Academy and My E-Haat.

For more details, please visit our website – https://www.hclfoundation.org/

VISION To be the source code for sustainable socio-economic and environmental development.

MISSION Nurture clean, green and healthy communities where everyone is empowered and equipped to reach their full potential in partnership with its employees, communities and stakeholders, while promoting volunteerism and establishing international standards of strategic planning, implementation and measuring impact.

Link to Videos: HCLFoundation Video – https://youtu.be/DK1wtWG_zJQ

Harit Video – https://youtu.be/O8YPCjdGayU

Harit by HCLFoundation HCLFoundation launched Harit – The Green Initiative a distinct flagship programme for Environment Action; with the vision ‘to conserve, restore and enhance indigenous environmental systems and respond to climate change in a sustainable manner through community engagement’. Throughout the process, Harit ensures building scalable and replicable models that are economically viable, socially acceptable, environmentally sustainable, holistic, and inclusive. All these interventions follow ‘Participatory and Convergent Approach’ in attaining the desired results towards UN SDG goals aligned to the National Indicator Framework for SDG. Operational in nine States – Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Harit is building sustainable and inclusive models towards:

• A flourishing biodiversity, green cover and building climate resilience through afforestation.
• An abundance of water resources through rejuvenating vanishing waterbodies.
• A thriving coastal and marine habitat by habitat restoration initiatives.
• A better life for animals by improving human animal relationships and addressing animal welfare inside community areas.
• Cleaner air through reducing and neutralizing CO2 emissions.
• Protecting and preserving the environment through education, community stewardship and participation.

From the inception of Harit Programme:

• More than 820,000 saplings have been planted, and over 280 acres of land is under afforestation.
• More than 3000 waterbodies rejuvenated.
• Around 17900 people have been reached through Environment Education.
• Welfare of over 86,800 animals addressed and.

Within the Coastal and Marine Conservation work, over 120,000 kgs of ghost nets have been retrieved from sea surface water and beaches, more than 38,000 fishermen have been reached through awareness programmes and over 12,000 juvenile olive ridley eggs have been collected, protected, and safely released from hatcheries, with the support of the forest department. In addition to that, more than 680,000 saplings of mangrove and 135000 saplings of shelter belt plantation have been carried out in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. These activities would meet the agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs, including SDG 15 (life on land), SDG 14 (life under water) and SDG 13 (climate action)

Harit is planning to further expand its Coastal and Marine Conservation sector and is inviting organizations to contribute to the same in the lines of the scope of work mentioned below (but not limited to).

Location: Chennai and surrounding coastal areas, Tamil Nadu

RFP released by HCLFoundation Programme

Name Harit by HCLFoundation

RfP Code HCLF/RFP/Harit/CoastalandMarine/18052024

Location Chennai and surrounding coastal areas, Tamil Nadu.

1. Description of Request for proposal. HCLFoundation requests proposals from eligible NGOs/NPOs/CSR Organizations to implement projects related to Coastal and Marine Conservation undertaken by HCLFoundation, under its flagship programmes Harit in Chennai and Surrounding Coastal areas. Harit, under its Coastal and Marine Conservation sector, is committed to conserve coastal and marine areas and reduce impact of waste generated through anthropogenic activities. To this end, it is working towards deploying resilient models for thriving coastal and marine ecosystems. The purpose of this document is to request proposals in-line with the standards of HCLFoundation and in-line with the strategy of Coastal and Marine Conservation sector for targeted activities within the regional scope of the project. Respondents are requested to submit their proposals based on detailed instructions given below to set up high impact projects under the Harit programmes in the proposed locations using innovative and sustainable models.

2. Scope of work Harit aims at building scalable and replicable models that are economically viable, socially acceptable, environmentally sustainable, holistic, and inclusive. All these interventions follow ‘Participatory and Convergent Approach’ in attaining the desired results towards International and National Developmental Goals and are aligned with India’s National Indicator Framework for SDGs. As indicated above, currently operational across 6 themes, the overall aspiration of Harit is towards the larger socio-environmental good; with special emphasis to mitigate climate change impact and to enhance native biodiversity, restore ecosystem services and improve humannature co-existence.

The proposed scope of work, but not limited to, is as below:

1. Addressing threat of Abandoned, Discarded or Otherwise Lost Fishing Gear (ADLFG) or ghost nets to marine ecosystems (Location: Chennai and surrounding coastal areas, Tamil Nadu) Ghost nets, otherwise known as abandoned, discarded, or otherwise lost fishing gear (ADLFG) pose a severe threat to coastal and marine habitats across India’s coastlines. These nets result in stranding, strangulation, drowning and starvation of all marine fauna and flora. Ghost nets are also adding to already large quantities of marine debris and micro plastics in the oceans. Ghost nets can be found floating on the surface of the oceans and seas, entangled on the sea floor as well as strewn on the beaches and coastlines. The switch from natural or biodegradable fishing gear to synthetic fishing gear has resulted in an increase in the amount of ghost nets accumulating in the world’s oceans and seas. Ghost nets are also a source of concern to human activities because they have the potential to become a navigational hazard in coastal and offshore locations, posing safety concerns.

Harit under its Coastal and Marine Conservation sector is looking for proposals to address the issue of Ghost gears and marine debris through coastal beach cleanups, marine surface cleanups and community centric activities. The proposals are invited from Chennai and surrounding coastal areas. The following interventions can form a part of the overall proposal. However, the proposing organization can go beyond these as per their expertise and capabilities:

a. Retrieving the ghost nets

b. Community engagement and mobilization for addressing ghost nets and marine debris.

c. Piloting sustainable and large-scale upcycling/recycling of collected ghost nets.

d. Community sensitization on the use of eco-friendly fishing gear and responsible disposal of damaged fishing gear.

e. Emergency response to stranding of marine megafauna (especially due to ghost nets and marine debris ingestion) in accordance and compliance with Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and other applicable laws.

f. Technology leverage during any phase of the proposed project implementation will be highly encouraged.

3. Geography Chennai and surrounding coastal areas.

4. Project Duration Maximum project duration can be conceptualized for 3 years along with 1-year financial budget.

How to Apply NGOs / CSR agencies should have following documents;

• Registration Certificate
• 12 A Certificate
• 80 G certificate
• CSR-1 registration
• Trust Deed (if NGO) otherwise Memorandum of Association/ By- Law
• Pan Card
• FCRA certification (Not Mandatory)
• Last three-year Income Tax return (ITR)
• Audited financials for the last three years
• Last year’s Annual Report

Eligibility criteria: NGOs/NPOs with experience in following parameters are invited to submit their RfP:

• Demonstrable experience in implementing Coastal and Marine conservation especially marine debris mitigation.
• Proven track record and experience in managing multiple stakeholders and complex situations on ground.
• Familiarity with relevant Government Policies, UN SDGs, National Indicators Framework, NDC, etc.
• Clear track record and no legal issues.
• Adherence to all relevant CSR rules and regulations.
• Ability to submit all the relevant documents and registration certificates when requested.

Submission Details & Deadlines Reputed NGOs/agencies may submit proposals as per their strength and area of expertise.

• All proposals must be submitted as per the prescribed Proposal Format (Narrative) along with Annexure A (Budget) and Annexure B (Gantt Chart) and Annexure C (Indicator File).

Please send in your submissions with Subject Line in the given format:

HCLF/RFP/Harit/Coastal&Marine/18052024/ latest by July 20, 2024 to adhavan.devendiran@hcltech.com, marking marshal.k@hcltech.com and jainvinith.veluswamy@hcltech.com in cc, with all relevant documents. • Proposals must be submitted along with Budget and Gantt Chart ONLY in the formats shared on the link below. Proposals not shared in the given format are liable forrejection. Proposals received after the due date and time will not be considered.

HCLFoundation Proposal format https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hmDEcXEHAo6sRxHSBKfpTTyVGhejQj3f?usp=sharing

Narrative: The narrative should clearly indicate the project scope, objectives, strategy, theory of change and key activities. All sections are mandatory to be filled. Partners are also encouraged to look at possibilities for engaging HCL Employees as volunteers in the project activity.

Budget: Budget must be submitted as per the attached template. Please provide detailed break-up of each line item and allsub-line-item costs with clear budget explanatory notes. Any taxes including Service Tax, Sales Tax, Value Added Tax or any other applicable tax, duty, Cess or levies, must be quoted separately from the price of goods and services. The terms of payment along with a tentative timeline must also be attached.

Gantt Chart: The Gantt Chart must detail the comprehensive list of activities proposed in the proposal along with a tentative timeline. A sample Gantt Chart can be downloaded from the link above. NGOs/Implementation Agencies may make the required changes in the Gantt Chart as per the activities proposed by them.

Beneficiary reach/indicators: The indictor sheet must detail the target numbers for the scope of work which should also be mapped for each quarter of the project.

Additionally, provide a logical framework with key objectives, activities, inputs, outputs, outcome and impact & a risk assessment and mitigation plan. All enquiries regarding this RFP should be made by July 5, 2024 via email to adhavan.devendiran@hcltech.com, marking marshal.k@hcltech.com and jainvinith.veluswamy@hcltech.com in cc.

Terms & Conditions

Deadline: Proposals received after the designated deadline may be subject to rejection by HCLFoundation.

Validity: Your proposal must remain valid for a minimum of twelve (12) months from the date of receipt by HCLFoundation.

Negotiations: The most competitive proposal is requested. It is anticipated that the partnership will made based on merit of proposal. However, HCLFoundation reserves the right to request responses to questions and conduct negotiations with any potential agency/consultant prior to finalizing the partnership.

Rejection of proposal: This document is a request for proposals only, and in no way binds HCLFoundation to make an award. HCLFoundation reserves the right to reject any and all offers received and/or to cancel the RFP. HCLFoundation will not be obliged to either inform or provide a justification for rejection of proposals.

Incurring costs: HCLFoundation will not be liable for any cost incurred during preparation, submission, or negotiation of an award for this RFP.

Financial responsibility: Proposals must certify the financial viability and adequacy of resources of the agency/organization to complete the proposed assignment within the agreed time frame and in conformity with the agreed terms of payment. HCLFoundation reserves the right to request and review up to the last three financial statements and audit reports including schedules and annexures, as part of the basis of the award if required. • Branding aligned: HCLFoundation has set brand guidelines that should be incorporated and followed while demonstrating the Foundation’s brand.

Copyright and Patents: HCLFoundation shall be entitled to all copyrights, patents and other proprietary rights and trademarks regarding the products or documents and other materials which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequences of or during the execution of the contract. All plans, reports, recommendations, estimates, documents, and data compiled by the service providers under the contract shall be the property of HCLFoundation and shall be treated as confidential. All confidential documents should be delivered to the relevant people within HCLFoundation during the project duration and upon completion.