Duration: October-December 2024 

Activity: Conduct a desktop review of Philippine finance organizations lending to seaweed fisherfolk associations (such as the Amogues Fisherfolk Association) and seaweed farmer members in less accessible locations, a review of their lending criteria, assessment of the financing funding gap to such communities in the Philippines, and identification of alternative funding structures to meet the financing needs of seaweed farmers and their associations 
in such locations; Prepare a fundraising document for the Amogues Fisherfolk Association and its seaweed farmer members and have preliminary discussions with lenders, and investors identified by the consultant, to understand their financing appetite.

Project Location: Taytay, Palawan, Philippines 

The Philippines is in the Coral Triangle, home of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Considering that the entire country sits within the Triangle, the province of Palawan is considered an ecological hotspot. The island’s coral reefs and mangrove forests comprise 42% and 36% respectively of the Philippine total. Its fisheries generate twice the yield of land-based agriculture at Php1.2B (USD27 million) a year. Among 81 provinces in the Philippines, Palawan is the highest producer of national fishery overall at 551,641 MT or 12% of the total fishery with a production value twice that of the next province in rank. It has high rankings in various categories and sectors. For example, in 2019, it was one of the top 10 richest provinces in the country per CEO World, it has the biggest fishing area and the biggest Marine Protected Area, #1 in annual average fishery production, #1 in annual average aquaculture production, #1 in seaweed production, biggest offshore natural gas reserve, among others. However, per the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines (NCCP), Palawan ranked 72nd out of 76 provinces in 2019 in terms of overall competitiveness consisting of economic dynamism, infrastructure government efficiency and resiliency. Despite its richness in natural resources, it is the 12th poorest province, an irony for its almost 800,000 inhabitants. 

WWF has been working in Palawan since 1991, providing technical assistance in establishing several protected areas, most notably the Tubbataha Reefs, a world-renowned dive site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), and touted as the best-managed Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the country. What began with a USD2,000 research grant for the Live Reef Fish Food Trade (LRFFT) paved the way for a USD3 million program under the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). This program, however, ended in 2013 and WWF Philippines continues to build on its successes and pursue its work on MPAs and fisheries. 
To further institutionalize the management of coastal and fishery management, another initiative entitled “Marine Protected Areas for Improved Fisheries in Palawan, Philippines” was implemented between May 2016 to June 2019. The long-term goal of the project is to secure livelihoods and food security in Palawan, Philippines through an effectively managed network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that supports the Reef Food Fish (RFF) industry. Also, the Conservation of Marine Protected Area Network was implemented between June 2020 to August 2023, covering the Northeastern Cluster 5 MPAs. It holds that the Northeast Palawan MPA Network habitats are protected while supporting people's livelihoods and food security. The project also aims to contribute to two ACAIs of the Oceans Practice on:

1. Resilient Coastal Habitats- by setting up an enforcement mechanism in the MPA Network within one million hectares of co-managed marine area.
2. Working with Coastal Communities to Secure their Ocean Futures by effective local MPA management of spawning sites. 

The consultant should be familiar with the ThreeSevens reports (which have been separately provided to tenderers) and environmental baseline assessment reports (final or draft) commissioned by the project before the proposal is made. 

1. Survey of Philippine Finance Organisations
   
   A desktop review of Philippine finance organizations (microfinance, banks, credit unions, NGOs, government and agency lending programmes for the seaweed industry) who are already lending to seaweed fisherfolks associations including in Palawan, to seaweed farmer individuals and community savings organizations (if any). The review is to include a comparison of lending criteria, lending approach/methodology (individual or group lending), relevant loan products and other support such as technical assistance, and how issues such as accessibility are addressed; the review is to establish in consultation with  WWF-Philippines and AFA representatives whether the lending criteria can be met by the AFA  and or the individual seaweed farmers for their expected borrowing needs. The survey should include a more detailed analysis of the (5) lending organizations identified that appear to have the most appetite to support the AFA and its members. 
    
2. Gap Analysis for AFA and individual seaweed farmers 
   
   Gap analysis if stage (1) above indicates limited appetite of finance organizations for lending of this type, based on the consultant’s understanding of Philippine law, financial regulations, and financial institutions consider if (a) specific changes to lenders’ criteria could be recommended, and/or provide ‘thought leadership’ (b) identifying alternative structures, that could be specifically set up to cater for the funding needs of seaweed POs and their members in small, less accessible communities - for example, specific funds (possibly using blended finance) that can lend to fisherfolk associations or provide microfinance funding, what would it look like and what scale would such a fund be (e.g., to finance seaweed farms and seaweed farmers across all of Palawan), financing mechanisms based value chain finance approach There may already be examples such as https://bluenaturalcapital.org/wp2018/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/05-Seaweed-and more_final.pdf). 
    
3. Concept note (fundraising ‘teaser’) and initiate, lead preliminary discussions 
   
   Taking into account the above work and the ThreeSevens reports, the consultant with the support of the NbS Accelerator team and WWF Philippines (who will suggest format and content to include, (a) prepare a concept note (fundraising ‘teaser’) for selected potential lenders and/or investors identified in stage (1) above, and (b) have preliminary discussions with those lenders, investors on their appetite to support projects like the Amogues. 

1. Inception report summarizing Consultant’s understanding of the brief and confirm methodology and process, to be delivered within 2 weeks of inception meeting with WWF Philippines and (online) by WWF-Uk NbS Accelerator.
2. A report on the findings from items 1 and 2 above, for review by WWF Philippines and WWF-UK NbS Accelerator team, and as appropriate work with the WWF Philippines and NbS Accelerator team to assess the potential for scalability, i.e. the number of seaweed fisherfolk associations across Palawan (or wider Philippines) who might benefit from the type of finance, funds identified.  
3. As per item 3 above, (a) draft a concept note (fundraising ‘teaser’) and inclusive financing models (value chain financing etc.) for selected potential lenders and/or investors identified by the consultant and (b) have preliminary discussions with those lenders, investors on their appetite to provide finance to projects like the AFA and the farming needs of its members. It is assumed that there will be [5] meetings with different lenders and or investors, with meeting notes to be provided by the consultant (WWF Philippines may also attend these meetings). 
4. Attendance at an inception meeting and fortnightly update calls with WWF Philippines and the NbS Accelerator team.

KKP shall provide transportation, meals and accommodation for the Consultant’s Team during travel/field activity.

The opportunity is open to consulting firms and organizations with available experts that have experience in and knowledge of lending practices and criteria of Philippine finance organisations, the financing needs of a PO organization such as the AFA and of its farmers, raising lending and finance from finance organizations, investors, nature-based solutions seaweed market, production and business analysis, formulating business development plans for implementation, and stakeholder engagement. 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: 

1. Commercial Eligibility Requirements 
   1. SEC Registration or equivalent legal document 
   2. BIR Registration 
   3. Valid Business Permit 
   4. Overview of average annual revenue for the last three financial years (2021-2023)
   5. Average number of employees over the last three years (2021-2023) 
2. Technical Eligibility Requirements 
   1. Competencies 
      1. Relevant experience in seaweed markets, production, financing needs, and sustainability 
      2. Relevant experience in market analysis, gap analysis, and concept note development (e.g. funding plans, investment teasers)
      3. Good knowledge of business concepts and models for seaweed production
      4. Good knowledge of microfinance institutions and lenders, and their lending and compliance requirements 
      5. Developing and successfully implementing funding plans to raise monies from identified finance organizations (such as microfinance institutions and lenders) and investors, knowledge of blended finance models
      6. Research and analytical skills, including data gathering and analyzing information using both qualitative and quantitative methods 
      7. Ability to establish rapport and work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
      8. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely, and to communicate effectively 
   2. Qualifications and Experience 
      1. Demonstrated previous experience in undertaking microfinance engagement 
      2. Developed concept notes for potential consultants 
      3. Experience working with NGO clients 
   3. Updated Company / Organization Profile with years of experience and description of services offered 
   4. List of clients from various organizations
   5. List of all ongoing and completed contracts related to engagement 
      1. Name and location of the project 
      2. Client organization 
      3. Type of consultancy services rendered, with date of engagement/contract 

Interested firms/organizations must submit their Letter of Expression of Interest and the minimum eligibility requirements to apply@wwf.org.ph with the following email subject: EOI and Eligibility Documents – Sustainable Financing Consultant (Seaweeds).

Deadline for Submission is on or before 24 October 2024 (not later than 5:00 pm PH Standard Time).