This consultancy will develop, validate, and strategically pitch commercially viable, socially equitable, and legally compliant business models for ecosystem services in the Congo Basin, targeting 1,500 direct beneficiaries (50% women). As the second largest contiguous tropical forest on Earth, the Congo Basin harbours 70% of Africa's forest cover and contains the world's largest tropical peatland complex, storing an estimated 30 gigatons of carbon. Annual forest disturbance rates reached 1.79 million hectares between 2015 and 2020. Without intervention, 27% of undisturbed rainforest present in 2020 could disappear by 2050. A fundamental barrier to conservation is market failure: standing forests are assigned a low market value, creating perverse incentives favouring resource extraction. The value of ecosystem services — carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and water regulation — is not effectively translated into market signals. Forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), are excluded from the economic benefits of conservation.
Scope of work
The selected consultant will develop two commercially viable models: Community and production forest biodiversity premiums Integrating carbon markets, biodiversity credits, and non-timber forest products Designing governance models aligned with FSC standards and community rights Protected area ecosystem service financing models Structuring mechanisms such as carbon offsets, payments for ecosystem services, and conservation trust funds Balancing state, investor, and community interests The work includes investor mapping, financial modelling, stakeholder validation, and investor pitching.
Inception report and investor mapping Two draft business models with financial projections Validation workshop outputs Final, investor-ready models and pitch summary.
Work Plan Phases
Phase 1 — Inception and Market Mapping (Weeks 1–2): Identify and profile bilateral/multilateral donors and private sector investors; submit Inception Report with financial modelling approach and stakeholder engagement matrix.
Phase 2 — Business Model Drafting (Weeks 3–8): Draft both business models with financial projections, revenue models, governance structures, and MRV cost frameworks.
Phase 3 — Validation and Refinement (Weeks 9–11): Facilitate structured review with 20 regional participants (REFADD, REPALEAC, national focal points); incorporate feedback from the Regional Advisory Group (COMIFAC, ECCAS, OFAC).
Phase 4 — Strategic Pitching and Finalization (Weeks 12–14): Present validated models to donors and investors; co-facilitate the Final Validation Workshop; submit final report and pitch summary.
Who should apply
Firms or individuals with: ~10+ years’ experience in climate finance, conservation finance, or business model design Demonstrated success structuring carbon or biodiversity finance projects Strong investor engagement track record in Africa Deep familiarity with Congo Basin operating conditions Fluency in English and French is required.
What success looks like
This is not an academic exercise. The output must withstand due diligence—technically credible, legally grounded, and commercially persuasive. Submission requirements Applicants must submit: Capability statement Technical proposal (methodology) Team composition Financial proposal.
How to apply
All proposals must be submitted electronically to Forest Stewardship Council Africa Limited via the contact below. Submissions must include all required components. Late submissions will not be accepted. Forest Stewardship Conclui Africa reserves the right to reject any or all proposals without providing reasons.
Submission Email: fscafrica@fsc.org
Submission deadline, 19 May 2026