Market study of the landscape of nature-positive and climate-resilient business operations in forest landscapes of the SICA countries, scoping analysis of the ecosystem of global and regional investors and design of Technical Facilities for Business (TAF-

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), invites interested firms to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in an upcoming solicitation for a market study of the landscape of nature-positive and climate-resilient business operations in forest landscapes of the Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA) countries; a scoping analysis of the ecosystem of global and regional investors; and the design of Technical Assistance Facilities for Business (TAF-B) and Investors (TAF-I), including a Network of Investors. The assignment will form part of the preparatory studies for the development of a full Green Climate Fund (GCF) programme proposal,“Regional financing solutions for adaptation and mitigation in the Great Forests of Central America and the Dominican Republic.” The Programme aims to support a transformative shift in forest conservation and climate resilience across Central America and the Dominican Republic. It seeks to strengthen enabling frameworks and accelerate innovative financing and investment in conservation, restoration and nature-positive businesses, thereby enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting tropical forest biodiversity. These objectives are consistent with the underlying TOR for the procurement. The objectives of this asssignment are to: 1 .Conduct a comprehensive market study of nature-positive and climate-resilient business operations in the Programme target areas across the eight SICA countries, and support the design, with relevant stakeholders, of the governance structure and operational guidelines for the regional Technical Assistance Facility for Business (TAF-B). 2. Conduct a comprehensive scoping analysis of the investor ecosystem, including relevant regional and global investors, and support the design, with relevant stakeholders, of the governance structure and operational guidelines for the regional Technical Assistance Facility for Investors (TAF-I) and Network of Investors. The design will seek to address barriers to investment in nature-positive and climate-resilient businesses. Expected outputs The assignment is expected to include, among others: 1.A market study of the landscape of nature-positive and climate-resilient business operations and a scoping analysis of relevant regional and global investors. 2.Design of the Technical Assistance Facility for Business (TAF-B). 3.Design of the Technical Assistance Facility for Investors (TAF-I) and the Network of Investors. 4.Identification and engagement of potential implementing partners for the TAF-B across the eight participating countries. 5.Identification and engagement of potential investors and TAF-I beneficiaries. 6.Identification of potential co-financing opportunities for the TAF-B and TAF-I. These outputs reflect the underlying TOR, which also envisages letters of interest from implementing partners and investors and co-financing letters Nature and geographical coverage of the assignment The assignment is regional and multidisciplinary in nature and will involve engagement with relevant stakeholders across Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The work is expected to draw on expertise relevant to areas such as environmental and nature-positive market analysis, sustainable and climate finance, forest-based or nature-based value chains, private-sector and investor engagement, business incubation, and technical assistance facility design. Firms may express interest individually or in association with other entities where complementary expertise may be appropriate for the assignment. The regional coverage, consultation requirements and ability to use complementary expertise are supported by the underlying TOR, which anticipates meaningful consultations in all eight countries and permits entities to submit proposals individually or in consortium. The complete details of the requirement, including the Terms of Reference, qualification requirements, evaluation criteria and applicable contractual provisions, will be provided in the solicitation documents issued for the subsequent tender process. Specific Requirements/Information This EOI does not constitute an invitation to submit a tender or proposal. Its purpose is to identify firms interested in participating in the planned solicitation process. UNON will consider the outcome of this EOI as part of its sourcing process for the subsequent solicitation. Submission of an Expression of Interest does not constitute prequalification, does not create any entitlement to participate in the subsequent solicitation, and does not constitute any commitment by the United Nations to issue a solicitation or award a contract. UNON reserves the right to modify or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or subsequent solicitation process.