Project Background-Harare Sustainable cities Initiative-HSCI

UN Habitat is the lead implementing agency for the project -Harare Sustainable Cities Initiative in Harare, Zimbabwe. This initiative is funded by the Swedish Government in Zimbabwe with the primary objective to provide better living condition to Harare citizens by increasing and improving their access to sustainable waste to wealth services, clean energy provisions and to promote energy and resource efficiency in Zimbabwe’s built environment.

The aim of the project is to develop and implement transformative initiatives on integrated sustainable waste management, resource recovery from waste, urban renewable energy generation for productive uses, and mainstreaming energy and resource efficiency into building policies and building practices. The project will demonstrate tangible sustainable zero waste practices, clean energy solutions and energy efficiency principles to encourage replication and upscaling.

The Specific objectives of the project are:

1. To promote sustainable waste to wealth practices in the greater Harare
2. To increase access to clean energy by the urban and peri urban poor in Harare; and
3. To achieve energy and resource efficiencies in Zimbabwe’s built environment.

HSCI Key Interventions

To achieve he project`s objective, the project will seek to establish key facilities in four project locations within Harare Metropolitan i.e. Showground in Belvedere, Highfield, Mabvuku/Tafara and in Epworth. The facilities to be established are:

1. Integrated resource recovery facilities -IRRC

An IRRC is a waste management facility designed to maximize the recovery of resources from waste. An IRRC facility can process up to -80-90% of waste in proximity to the source of generation and in a decentralized manner. The IRRC concept is based on the principles of reduction, reuse and recycle (3R) principles. The IRRC model is cost-effective and affordable, allowing for transformation of waste into various types of resources. Key features in an IRRC facility include aerobic composting for production of bio-composts, an aerobic digestion for biogas production, Materials recovery – plastics, metal etc

1. Multi-functional clean energy centres-MCEC

The MCEC facility is a centre designed to promote productive use of energy for job creation for youth and women and provision of urban basic services. The MCEC concept is based on utilization of renewable energy to power economic activities such as tailoring, alternative fuel production, carpentry, water purification etc. The MCEC is energy sufficient to ensure smooth operations of all activities in the facility and cost effective.

1. Low-carbon brick production training and demonstration centre

The low-carbon brick production training and demonstration centre is dedicated to promoting sustainable construction practices with a focus on promoting low -carbon brick production and promoting material and resource efficiency in the built environment. The facility will also be used as a training facility to provide training to individuals and organizations in the production of low carbon bricks, sustainable building practices etc.

EOI: Innovations in Sustainable Waste Management and E-Waste Management for Energy Products in Harare, Zimbabwe

To contribute to HSCI project to promote innovative and sustainable solutions to sustainable waste management, UN Habitat invites prospective partners to submit innovative proposals for one or more of the following “Lots” each designed to promote circular economy in the waste sector. UN Habitat is seeking innovative solutions that address sustainable waste management practices including electronic waste (e-waste) from energy products to support advancements that not only manage waste efficiently and effectively but with minimal environmental footprint and promoting a circular economy.

Lot 1: Innovations in Sustainable Waste Management (Funding Lot 1 -USD 20,000)

This lot specifically focuses on innovations on sustainable waste management. UN Habitat invites innovators to submit innovative approaches, technologies, strategies, or methodologies for sustainable waste management.

The innovations under this lot should be geared towards.

• Improve recycling efficiency
• Innovative business models rooted in the principles of a sustainable circular economy
• Advancing & improving waste sorting, collection, conversion technologies i.e. waste to energy technologies
• Community based waste management initiatives
• Minimal environmental impact

Lot 2: Innovations in Sustainable Electronic waste Management for Energy Products -( Funding Lot 1 -USD 20,000)

This lot specifically focuses on innovations on sustainable e-waste management for energy products. UN Habitat invites innovators to submit innovative approaches, technologies or methodologies for sustainable e-waste management from energy products such as solar systems and batteries. The innovations under this lot should be geared towards.

• Recycling and reuse of e-waste components
• Repurposing and refurbishment of energy products
• Innovative business models rooted in the principles of a sustainable circular economy for energy products
• Promote community-based initiatives
• Minimal environmental impact

Key Outputs

1. Project Innovation report with a focus on viability of innovation, practicability and potential impact
2. Business model for e-waste and waste management based on piloted innovation
3. Lessons learnt Report
4. Community and stakeholders’ engagement framework report on upscaling and replication of innovation
5. Scale-up strategy Report outlining the pathway to scaling up the innovation

Learning Agenda

Innovators are required to develop a learning agenda to capture key insights and learnings during the piloting stage of their initiatives. The learning agenda should outline the approach to capture, document, analyze and disseminate key learnings, challenges and success during the implementation of the initiatives.

The learning agenda is key to provide data and information to the innovators to enhance on their initiatives ensuring they are effective and efficient and inform improvements. In addition, the learning agenda is key to inform scalability and replication of the initiative.

Pathway to Scalability and Replicability

Innovators are encouraged to develop solutions that are not only technically viable but also financially and economically viable. Innovators should preset a clear plan on their pathway to scalability and replicability. The plan should include a clear sustainable business model that demonstrates how the initiative will generate value and achieve financial sustainability.

In addition, innovators should design their initiatives with capacity to scale-up and replicate across Zimbabwe. The innovators should consider the cost effectiveness of their proposed initiatives, adaptability & replication in different contexts and environments in Zimbabwe and ease of implementation. Focusing on viability, clear business models, and scalability of the initiatives, innovators can contribute to lasting, positive change in the field of sustainable waste management in Zimbabwe.

Cross-Cutting Themes

Gender

Innovators are strongly encouraged to incorporate gender mainstreaming into their initiatives to ensure that their solutions are inclusive and equitable. This involves recognizing and addressing the diverse needs and contribution of both women and men to the proposed innovations. Innovators should ensure the engagement of both women and men in the project implementation. This is to enhance the social impact for innovation and contribute to building resilient and inclusive communities.

EOI submission

The potential partner is eligible to submit bids for one (1) or both lots, based on their capacity, qualifications and experience. UN-Habitat reserves the right to award one or both Lots to one or more partners based on their technical capacity, experience and qualifications. The recommendation for the award of each lot will be based on the technical capacity and value for money principle.

A potential partner wishing to express its interest to become an implementing partner of UN-Habitat’s under the HSCI project, must submit an EOI. The EOI should contain, but not be limited to the following:

1. The call is open to non-profit organizations only i.e CBOs, Local governments, NGOs or government agencies involved in sustainable waste management, energy access etc
2. The package(s) organization is submitting an EOI for. (Package I – both (2) Lots, Package II – Lot 1, Package III – Lot 2)
3. Detailed response to this EOI including your proposed approach
4. Organizations` background and performance (5-page limit), including:
   1. Governance and Organizational structure
   2. Personnel CV’s (2-page limit per CV) for the key persons who will be assigned to this project and their role.
   3. The overall background of the organization particularly about capacity and relevant experience in sustainable waste management. Provide at least 3 project references, if possible, experience working with UN agencies
   4. Presence in Zimbabwe
   5. Any commitment to other projects, how resources and timely performance will be managed and how quality delivery will be managed
   6. Relevant certification on the relevant thematic area relevant to the project from reputable professional bodies
5. Proposed Innovation- looking at Innovation and originality viability, practicality, potential impact and sustainability
6. Proposed approaches include methodology including cross-cutting themes within the proposed approach such as gender.
7. Workplan -Execution and implementation timeline including the above activities
8. Financial Proposal – detailed breakdown of all the costs covering all activities in work plan and including staff costs
9. The support/ contribution the organization is willing to make including cash and in-kind;

Eligibility Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

Preliminary Examination Criteria

All criteria will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis and checked during Preliminary Examination.

Technical Evaluation criteria

EOI shall qualify for the next stage of opening the financial proposal if it achieves a technical score of at least 70%

Financial Evaluation criteria

Evaluation Criteria

The Evaluation of the partners will be carried out as follows:

1. 70% will be the weight of the technical proposal.
2. 30% will be the weight of the financial proposal.

A combined score for the above evaluation will be the driver of the final selection of the winning implementing partner. Applications will be evaluated technically and scored based on how well the proposal meets the requirements of the summary of the EOI iterated above.

Supervision

The Implementing Partner will work under the supervision of the UN Habitat Project Manager, Harare Sustainable Cities Initiative in Harare, Zimbabwe, and under the overall supervision of the Water and Sanitation Team Leader Urban Basic Services Section, Urban Practices Branch Global Solutions Division, UN Habitat Nairobi, Kenya.

Timeline and duration of the project

The duration of the project implementation is a minimum of 12 months from the date of signing of Agreement of Cooperation. The length of the implementation period maybe extended depending on project progress and request from the implementing partner with adequate justification.

Timeline

EOI Submission Process

The EOI must be submitted to unhabitat.ubss.eoi@un.org with copy to pireh.otieno@un.org and alexander.chileshe@un.org no later than 11^th April 2025 .

Potential Implementing partners are advised to send an email to express interest in submitting an EOI for subsequent follow-ups in relation to changes on EOI.

In case of any questions related to this EOI, these can be sent via email to isaac.mwangi@un.org no later than 2^nd April 2025. Questions cannot include any company sensitive or proprietary information. By 4^th April 2025, all responses will be collated and sent to Implementing partners who have responded to this EOI, to ensure all potential applicants have the same information.

UN Habitat aims to provide successful Implementing partners with feedback by 28^th April 2025. Start of the contract is expected to be on 12^th May 2025. The Implementing Partner shall organize a kick-off meeting in the week of the start of the Work to introduce its team, meet the UN Habitat team, discuss its ways of working, present its project plan and detailed schedule and ask any clarifications necessary to start the work.

Other

Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the EOI/or solicitation process. Sub-mitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Potential Implementing Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Implementing Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission will receive the final solicitation document.

Notes:

1. Interested Organizations must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochure, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc).
2. The EOI and accompanying documents must be received in accordance with the instructions provided. EOI submitted to a different email address other than the specified one will not be considered.
3. EOI from applicants failing to provide the complete information to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria will be considered non-responsive.
4. EOI received after the above deadline will not be considered.
5. Organizations will be selected in accordance with the procedure set out in the UN-Habitat Implementing Partners Management policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
6. EOI from applicants failing to provide the requested information will be disregarded.
7. This EOI does not entail any commitment on the part of UN-Habitat, either financial or otherwise. UN-Habitat reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds.
8. All prices must be in USD.