Development of a Framework and Roadmap for a National Innovation System to foster low-carbon and climate resilient economic development in Mozambique.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invites qualified interested firms to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the upcoming solicitation for provision of technical assistance for Developing a framework and roadmap for the National Innovation System in Mozambique to foster low-carbon and climate resilient economic development through endogenous innovation. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on behalf of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) requires the services of an institution to deliver the technical assistance as approved by National Designated Entity from Mozambique. The overall objective of this technical assistance is to introduce an effective National Innovative System that fosters low-carbon and climate resilient economic development in Mozambique. In the face of escalating climate change impacts and the imperative for sustainable development, developing countries find themselves at the forefront of global challenges. The pursuit of economic growth, poverty alleviation, and social progress must now navigate the intricate landscape of climate vulnerability and environmental degradation. Developing countries are not only grappling with the traditional obstacles of development but are also contending with the urgent need to address climate change and build resilience against its effects. Mozambique regularly experiences extreme weather events such as flooding, drought and cyclones. Natural disasters have repeatedly displaced tens of thousands of people. In the first half of 2019, two cyclones caused particularly severe damage, affecting some 1.8 million people. The central and northern parts of the country were hit by major tropical storms again in 2021 and 2022. Mozambique is also among the world's ten least developed countries. The country ranked 185th out of 191 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2022. Innovation is seen as a relevant tool with a double benefit, to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change, and to generate sustainable economic growth. As a structured approach to fostering innovation is required, the concept of national innovation systems (NIS) has been introduced and widely adopted at a global level. The concept is defined as a “network of institutions in the public and private sectors, civil society, NGO's innovators and researchers whose activities and interactions initiate, import, modify and diffuse new technologies”. At the core of the concept is the understanding that innovation, technical and economic progress are the result of a complex set of relationships among actors producing, distributing and applying various kinds of knowledge. The innovation space currently faces several problems and barriers that are related to a lack of stakeholder coordination, governance and regulations, funding and investment, technology and infrastructure, as well as access to capacity building and support. The problems and barriers are complex. This technical assistance will conduct a holistic review of the national innovation landscape in order to establish an effective framework for the Mozambique Innovation System. Some of the expected outputs are: a. Project Management b. Introduction of Working Group c. Evaluation of the national innovation environment for climate action d. Development of a framework and implementation roadmap for the National Innovation System e. Strengthening institutional innovation support mechanisms f. Communication and engagement The complete details of the requirement will be provided in the tender documents that will be issued to bidders after this request for EOI is closed.