About This RFP:

UNDP Nepal and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City (DSMC) are inviting technical and financial proposals to conduct a multi-product value chain study focused on inclusive green growth and circular economy opportunities.

The study covers five product areas: bamboo products, banana fiber products, pottery and clay products, safe farming produce, and glass waste recovery. The purpose is to identify practical ways to transform local resources and waste streams into sustainable livelihoods, green enterprises, and market-ready products.

Context:

UNDP has been working in Nepal since 1963 in collaboration with government, development partners, civil society, academia, and private sector. Under the Green Transition Portfolio, UNDP and DSMC have been implementing interventions since April 2025 to promote sustainable development, resilience, and circular economy systems within Dhangadhi.

DSMC has already established a Material Recovery Facility for plastic waste management and is now exploring alternatives including bamboo, clay, and banana fiber products to reduce reliance on single-use plastics and timber products. These materials are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and capable of supporting local employment and enterprise development.

Five Product Value Chains:

• Bamboo Products: Nepal has 81 species of bamboo covering 19% of global bamboo area. Bamboo is fast-growing, environmentally friendly, and an alternative to plastic and timber. Dhangadhi region has bamboo resources suitable for furniture, construction, household goods, and handicrafts.
  
• Banana Fiber Products: Banana fiber is a waste product from banana farming that can be transformed into textiles, paper, packaging, and handicrafts. Circular economy opportunity — converting agricultural waste into valuable products.
  
• Pottery and Clay Products: Traditional pottery has cultural and economic significance. Clay products can replace plastic containers and packaging. Opportunity for modernising traditional skills into market-ready green products.
  
• Safe Farming Produce: Organic and safe farming practices producing chemical-free food products. Growing market demand for safe/organic produce in Nepal's urban centres and export markets. Supports farmer livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
  
• Glass Waste Recovery: Converting glass waste into reusable products and raw materials. Part of DSMC's broader waste management and circular economy strategy. Reduces landfill pressure and creates green employment.

Study Scope:

• Resource availability assessment for each product category.
• Market demand analysis — local, national, and export markets.
• Stakeholder participation mapping and engagement.
• Investment opportunities identification.
• Policy framework analysis supporting green value chains.
• Value-addition pathways from raw material to market-ready products.
  

Target Beneficiaries:

• Local enterprises and cooperatives.
• Women entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises.
• Youth seeking green employment opportunities.
• Marginalised groups.
• The wider DSMC community.
  

KEY DETAILS

• RFP: Green Value Chain Study
  
• Organizations: UNDP Nepal + Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City (DSMC)
  
• Programme: UNDP Green Transition Portfolio
  
• DEADLINE: June 8, 2026 
  
• Posted: May 26, 2026
  

• APPLY: UNDP Nepal procurement portal
  — https://www.undp.org/nepal/procurement
  — Technical + financial proposals required
  

• LOCATION: DHANGADHI, Sudurpashchim Province
  — Nepal's largest far-western city
  — Active circular economy initiatives already underway
  — Material Recovery Facility for plastic already established
  

• FOR: INSTITUTIONS, NGOs, FIRMS, PRIVATE COMPANIES
  — Value chain analysis expertise
  — Green economy / circular economy experience
  — Market assessment capability
  — Stakeholder engagement capacity
  

• FIVE VALUE CHAINS TO STUDY:
  BAMBOO products — furniture, construction, handicrafts
  BANANA FIBER products — textiles, paper, packaging
  POTTERY / CLAY products — replacing plastics
  SAFE FARMING produce — organic, chemical-free
  GLASS WASTE recovery — recycling, circular economy
  
  
• STUDY COVERS:
  — RESOURCE availability assessment
  — MARKET demand analysis (local, national, export)
  — STAKEHOLDER participation mapping
  — INVESTMENT opportunities identification
  — POLICY framework analysis
  — VALUE-ADDITION pathways
  

• BENEFICIARIES:
  — Local ENTERPRISES + cooperatives
  — WOMEN entrepreneurs
  — YOUTH seeking green jobs
  — MARGINALISED groups
  — Wider DSMC community
  

• WHY THIS MATTERS:
  — UNDP is Nepal's largest UN development partner
  — Green economy + circular economy = growing priority
  — Dhangadhi is DSMC = Nepal's largest far-western city
  — BAMBOO is huge for Nepal — 81 species, 19% global coverage
  — Reducing SINGLE-USE PLASTIC dependence
  — Creating GREEN JOBS and sustainable livelihoods
  — Transforming WASTE STREAMS into value
  — UNDP CREDENTIAL on your portfolio
  

• IMPORTANT NOTES:
  — Deadline — June 8
  — Submit via UNDP PROCUREMENT PORTAL — not email
  — Both TECHNICAL + FINANCIAL proposals required
  — Multi-product study — must cover ALL 5 value chains
  — UNDP procurement standards apply — follow their format
  — Posted just YESTERDAY (May 26) — fresh opportunity
  — Check UNDP portal for full RFP document with detailed TOR
  — DSMC partnership = local government buy-in
  — Green Transition Portfolio = strategic UNDP priority
  — Good for firms with VALUE CHAIN + GREEN ECONOMY expertise
  — Also relevant for research institutions with market analysis capability
  
  
• CONTACT:
  UNDP Nepal: https://www.undp.org/nepal/procurement