Request for Submission of Concept Note from Liberian NGOs. School Gardening Initiative to Support School Feeding and Climate-Smart Agriculture.

Background. Concern Worldwide is currently implementing the Transforming Households for Increased Vitality and Empowerment (THRIVE) Programme in District One, Grand Bassa County. The programme aims to improve livelihoods, nutrition, WASH, and education outcomes for vulnerable households through integrated, community-based interventions. As part of its education and nutrition interventions, THRIVE seeks to strengthen school feeding initiatives through sustainable school gardening while equipping learners, parents, and teachers with practical Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) knowledge and skills. School gardens will serve as practical learning sites, improve access to nutritious vegetables for school meals, and promote household adoption of improved vegetable production practices. The school feeding initiative targets 10 schools, five (5) regular government schools and 5 Accelerated Learning Program schools. Concern Worldwide Liberia therefore invites interested Liberian Non-Governmental Organisations (LNGOs) with demonstrated experience in school agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, community mobilisation, and capacity strengthening to submit a concept note for the implementation of a School Gardening Initiative between July and December 2026. Purpose of the Call. The purpose of this call is to identify a qualified Liberian Non-Governmental Organisation (LNGO) to establish and support school gardens in 10 schools that contribute to improved nutrition, school feeding, agricultural learning, and community participation in District One (1), Grand Bassa County. Geographic Coverage. 10 schools in District One (1), Grand Bassa County . Proposed Intervention. The LNGO will work with Concern Worldwide to implement school gardening activities in 10 schools , comprising: Five (5) Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) Learning Centres. Five (5) Public Schools. Each school will establish an approximately 0.5-acre assorted vegetable garden. Expected Scope of Work. The proposed concept note should describe how the applicant will deliver the following interventions: Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) Learning Centres. The successful applicant will: Mobilise parents and caregivers of ALP learners to establish and manage 0.5-acre vegetable gardens. Provide practical training on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and sustainable vegetable production.

• Promote environmentally sustainable production practices. Support production planning, crop management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Ensure produce contributes to the ALP school feeding programme. Develop mechanisms for marketing surplus produce to generate income that can support food preparation and other school feeding costs. This data will be followed up by Concern MEAL team. Identify a Focal Person for the school garden from the ALP Facilitators? Provide continuous technical backstopping throughout implementation. Public Schools. The successful applicant will: Work closely with agriculture teachers/ focal persons, school management, students, and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). Establish 0.5-acre vegetable gardens in each selected public school. Deliver practical training on vegetable production and Climate-Smart Agriculture practices. Build the capacity of school pupils through hands-on learning. Encourage students to replicate improved production practices within their household gardens. Provide regular technical mentoring and troubleshooting support to improve production and productivity. Promote school ownership and sustainability of the gardens. Expected Results. The intervention is expected to achieve the following: Ten (10) functional school vegetable gardens established across five (5) ALP learning centres and five (5) public schools, producing vegetables to support school feeding programmes. Parents, teachers, pipils, and PTAs equipped with practical Climate-Smart Agriculture skills. Improved availability of nutritious vegetables for school meals. Increased knowledge and adoption of improved vegetable production practices by students and households. Sustainable school gardening systems supported through community ownership and technical mentoring. Expected Deliverables. The LNGO working with Concern THRIVE team will be expected to deliver: Inception report and implementation workplan. Baseline assessment of selected schools. Mobilisation of schools, PTAs, and parents. Establishment of ten (10) school gardens. Delivery of Climate-Smart Agriculture training. Regular technical mentoring and monitoring visits. Progress reports (Monthly updates and quarterly report).

Completion report documenting achievements, lessons learned, challenges, and recommendations (for upscale where necessary). Eligibility Criteria. Organisations should demonstrate: Registered as a legally recognised NGO in Liberia. Proven experience implementing agriculture, school gardening, nutrition, or climate smart agriculture programmes. Experience working with schools, PTAs, community groups, and government stakeholders, especially Ministry of Education. Strong technical expertise in vegetable production and sustainable agriculture. Experience in community mobilisation and participatory training. Strong financial and programme management systems. Experience working with donor-funded projects is an added advantage. Concept Note Format. Interested organisations should submit a concept note of no more than six ( 6 pages) that includes: Organisational profile and relevant experience in this sector. Understanding of the assignment. Proposed implementation approach and methodology. Proposed activities and implementation schedule. (Annex – Detailed workplan required). Sustainability strategy. Risk analysis and mitigation measures. Monitoring and reporting approach. High-level budget both detailed and summary of key headers. (Annex – Budget should be phased monthly and by activity). Selection Criteria. Concept notes will be assessed based on: Criteria Score 1. Understanding of the assignment 10 2. Technical approach and methodology 10 3. Relevant organisational experience + understanding of Geographic location 20 4. Technical capacity (Staffing and Institution) to pull this off. 20 5. Experience in school gardening (using Climate Smart Approach). 10 6. Sustainability, innovation and/ or Value Additon 10 7. Cost-effectiveness – Realistic Budget 20 Required Submission documents. The interested LNGO should submit:

• Cover Letter.
• Organisational Profile.
• Certificate of Registration.
• Governance Structure and organisational Organogram.
• Latest Audited Financial Statements (or management accounts).
• Evidence of similar assignments
• References from at least two previous donors
• Concept note (maximum 6 pages) describing the proposed implementation approach. Note: Selected Organisation will be requested share with Concern Relevant Policies (Finance, Procurement, HR, Safeguarding, Anti-Fraud, etc.) and Strategic Plan (if available) before contract is signed. Submission Details. Interested organisations should submit their concept note and accompanying documents electronically by 24 th July, 2026 to: Concern Worldwide Liberia. Email: [Click the Apply button below to apply, and Create my CV to build a CV tailored to this offer, professionally] Subject Line: Concept Note – School Gardening Initiative.

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