Colombia – Develop an agriculture sector strategy to inform NDC update [CO-23-003]

This project responds to a request made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia to develop an agriculture sector strategy to reduce short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) emissions which will inform the formulation of the NDC 2030-2035 to be delivered in 2025. More information on Colombia’s involvement in the CCAC is available on its Partner Page.

Colombia has been a partner of the CCAC since 2012, and is a participating country to the Global Methane Pledge, a voluntary commitment towards the objective to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. Colombia's NDC embraces carbon neutrality by 2050 and includes a target to reduce black carbon by 40% in 2030 (below 2014 levels), a target to reduce deforestation to 50,000 ha/year by 2030, and a commitment to generate carbon budgets in 2023. The country's NDC has also identified mitigation measures in the agriculture sector, but methane measures need to be strengthened.

This project will support the Government of Colombia to raise its ambition for the agriculture sector in its 2025 NDC update, delivering a sector strategy that prioritizes methane mitigation actions. Colombia's BUR3 and first modelling of measures focused on increasing sector ambition (internal documents) should serve as the basis for this project. At minimum, the project is expected to deliver an agriculture sector strategy by 2024.

This project is expected to launch in Q1 2024.

This project will require close coordination and engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), and local universities. The following stakeholders should be engaged during project execution: consultants that have previously provide data collection and other related process, trade unions (FEDEGAN, FENAVI, PORKCOLOMBIA, FEDEARROZ, FENALCE), producers, national research centres, and non-governmental organizations.

Applicants are encouraged to propose additional outputs as needed to ensure the expected project outcomes are achieved. Applicants can determine the scope of outputs if not specified. The project is expected to deliver at a minimum:

1. The Government of Colombia endorses an agriculture sector strategy by 2024.

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures.  

Output 1.1: An agriculture sector strategy which includes:

• Updated national emissions inventory for the agriculture sector 
• Review of current laws, policies, and regulations 
• Methane mitigation options including mitigation potential of new technologies which covers livestock (cattle, pig, poultry), and paddy-rice 
• Cost of implementation and sources of funding 
• Co-benefits assessment 

2. The Government of Colombia includes methane measures or targets in its 2025 NDC update.

Indicator: Number of NDCs targeting SLCPs

Output 2.1: Recommendations for including methane reduction measures in the agriculture sector in Colombia’s 2025 NDC. 

3. The Government of Colombia has increased capacity to assess and model their SLCP emissions, especially methane, to prioritize and implement measures, and to track progress by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of government entities with improved capacity for SLCP action. 

Output 3.1: Training delivered to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development on the identification of methane mitigation measures, the quantification of emission reduction potential, and the financial viability of measures based on national data. 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submitted before the deadline
• Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity. Governments are not eligible to apply directly for funding in this call.
• Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses 
• Project duration is less than 24 months

Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply any time before 23 May 2023 using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents. 

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat@ccacoalition.org.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders 
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed
• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1

Selection process

• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners.  
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.

The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.