Implementation Agreement - Enhancing Productivity and Working Conditions in Covered Horticulture through Upgrading Greenhouse Services by Small Manufacturers in Lebanon for BOUZOUR Project

PROJECT BACKGROUND

General Background

Lebanon has been suffering from a severe financial and economic crisis with long-lasting effects on its economy and its people. With the drastic devaluation of the currency, prices of imported items have risen sharply, and households are now increasingly struggling to cover food needs. The combined effects of the crises have resulted in unprecedented levels of unemployment and pushed both the Lebanese population and the approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees further into poverty. The Lebanese agriculture sector remains one of few sectors where both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities can legally find employment as well as vulnerable Lebanese host communities but has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing crises.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is therefore implementing the BOUZOUR project ‘Building Inclusive Markets and Decent Work for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees’ funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The project aims to develop specific agricultural and agri-food value chains with potential for decent job creation and livelihoods of both Lebanese and Syrian vulnerable population groups and in particular women of both communities.

The project makes use of the ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to safeguard jobs and livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities threatened by the crises and encourage decent job creation for both groups in sectors with potential.

A key component of the project focuses on enhancing productivity and working conditions in the horticulture sector by supporting farmers in adopting modern greenhouses and sustainable farming practices, improving productivity, crop quality, and working conditions for both Lebanese and Syrian workers.

ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND

Lebanon features a diverse landscape of agricultural production, encompassing both open-field and covered systems such as polythene greenhouses. The latter, particularly in demand for Lebanese vegetables, has witnessed rapid growth. While a few large-scale producers have embraced advanced technologies like sophisticated greenhouses, hydroponics, and automated irrigation, most rely on the economical single-tunnel, non-ventilated greenhouse design with manual drip irrigation.

Research suggests that upgrading from tunnel design to the multi-span chapel design technologies available could increase productivity by up to 50 per cent. Nevertheless, the popularity of the tunnel design is linked to its affordability compared with the more modern and better-ventilated designs. However, the high cost of these upgrades has made them inaccessible to many small-scale farmers.

Moreover, informal suppliers—often small manufacturers, local mechanics, and welders—have emerged to provide cost-effective solutions for upgrading existing greenhouses. These informal suppliers offer alternatives to the expensive branded options by adapting greenhouses using locally sourced materials and labour. While these suppliers have successfully developed low-cost solutions, they often lack the technical capacity to innovate, conduct experiments, or showcase the long-term benefits of these upgrades, such as improved productivity and better working environments.

Challenges facing informal suppliers include limited access to advanced technologies, inadequate technical skills to experiment with new greenhouse designs, and lack of exposure to larger market opportunities. This creates a gap between what is possible with modern greenhouse technologies and what is currently available to smallholder farmers at an affordable cost.

This intervention aims to bridge this gap by upgrading small manufacturers' capabilities, enabling them to design, produce, and install improved greenhouse structures that not only enhance agricultural productivity but also create safer, more sustainable working conditions for agricultural workers. The intervention also seeks to raise awareness among farmers about the benefits of upgrading their greenhouse systems, not just in terms of increased productivity, but also the direct improvements in worker health and safety.

By improving greenhouse technology and promoting sustainable farming practices, the project will contribute to both economic and social objectives—boosting agricultural output while ensuring decent working conditions for vulnerable workers.

OBJECTIVE AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The primary objective of this assignment is to enhance the capacity of small greenhouse manufacturers in Lebanon, enabling them to offer improved services to smallholder farmers. The project aims to increase greenhouse productivity, improve working conditions for workers, and enhance market access for these manufacturers by promoting innovations and cost-effective greenhouse solutions.

The overall goal is to increase the productivity of smallholder farmers in the covered horticulture sector through the adoption of upgraded greenhouse technologies, while also aiming to improve working conditions by promoting better-structured greenhouses, which enhance ventilation, reduce heat stress, and provide safer environments for agricultural workers.

Key Expected Results:

• Enhanced technical capacity and market opportunities for small manufacturers.
• Increased adoption of improved greenhouse technologies by smallholder farmers.
• Improved working conditions for Lebanese and Syrian agricultural workers.
• Demonstrated pilot success through established demo plots and improved service offerings.

All data and information received from ILO for this assignment are to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference (TOR). The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed to any third parties without the express advance written authorization of the ILO. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these TOR are assigned to the International Labour Organization. The intellectual property rights of the materials modified through the assignment remains with the International Labour Organization.

SCOPE OF WORK

The implementor will conduct all tasks related to the implementation of this ToRs in close collaboration with ILO. The implementor is to provide a detailed work plan. The main interventions and deliverables of the implementor shall include the following:

Awareness-Raising Campaigns:

Organize awareness campaigns for farmers and manufacturers on the benefits of greenhouse upgrades, highlighting cost-effective solutions. This will also include awareness sessions on improving working conditions through upgraded greenhouse designs, focusing on both productivity and worker safety. In addition, launch online awareness campaigns, including video content to further engage and educate a wider audience.

Technical assistance for small manufacturers

• Provide specialized technical training to small manufacturers on designing and producing enhanced greenhouses tailored to local farmers' needs. Training will include site visits to successfully installed multispan greenhouses to provide hands-on insight into effective design and construction techniques. Provide manufacturers with a comprehensive technical drawing of a multispan greenhouse, illustrating current designs and proposed upgrades. This design will include 'before' and 'after' visuals, highlighting key changes and additions required for optimum efficiency. This design will also be featured in a targeted awareness campaign, aimed at demonstrating the value of greenhouse upgrades.
• Exchange session with a technical greenhouse expert installer.

Service Development:

Support small manufacturers in developing comprehensive service offerings tailored to smallholder farmers, focusing on affordable and scalable greenhouse solutions. This will include:

• A simplified training about marketing including social media management. This training covers strategies for managing online platforms and tailoring content to target audiences.
• A customized catalogue for each manufacturer featuring the greenhouse service provided
• Assisting manufacturers in better exposure

• A common catalogue showing the greenhouse upgrade service and available double-span greenhouses. This will also include the contact of these manufacturers. This catalogue will be distributed to different stakeholders and farmers.
• Linking these manufacturers to the chamber of commerce and NGOs.

Support selected manufacturers in preparing a demonstration plot for their greenhouse upgrades

• Establish a mechanism of cost-sharing for the upgrading of greenhouses, which cannot surpass the total cost covered by ILO of 25,000 USD. This will be done in consultation with the ILO. Either more small manufacturers can be selected with a smaller amount of contribution from the ILO to the upgrading, or fewer manufacturers with a higher contribution.
• Identify and select at least three (or more depending on cost-sharing mechanism) small greenhouse manufacturers based on ILO’s mapping. Ensure geographical inclusivity by selecting manufacturers from different locations.
• An amount of money will be allocated to each manufacturer. This amount will be used to intervene at least at one farmer's location by converting at least two traditional greenhouses into one multi-span greenhouse that meets specific minimum specifications to be provided by the ILO. Criteria for selecting these farmers will be developed in collaboration with the ILO.
• Support small manufacturers to identify the farmers from the areas where the small manufacturers are based
• Support selected small manufacturers in developing and installing greenhouses for the selected farmers, documenting the entire process.

Field Visits and Demonstration:

• Once selected demonstration plots (activity 4) are ready, conduct field visits for other small manufacturers that have not participated in upgrading greenhouses initiatives in activity 4 to demonstrate the benefits of providing this as a service, and upgraded greenhouses.
• Develop case study of activity 4 and disseminate this among broader population to share best practices and innovative solutions to promote replication.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

Design and implement a robust M&E framework to track progress and measure results. This should include baseline and end line assessments of both manufacturer capacity and greenhouse performance. The M&E framework should align with ILO standards and integrate feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Please check the table and the deliverables in the attached document 

Submission requirements

The ILO requires candidates to submit the following:

1- Technical proposal

2- Financial proposal

3- Proof of valid legal registration or status of the lead organization

Technical Proposal: The Technical proposal is expected to be submitted by candidates in the following structure:

• Project Summary: An abstract of the proposal, a brief description of the rationale, goal(s), objectives, specific project activities, target beneficiaries, and expected outputs.

• Project Narrative Description: this section should include the following:

Project Goals and Purpose: Project goal(s) must be clearly defined and directly relevant to the need(s) identified above. Project purpose must be measurable, realistic (aligned within the project’s period of performance) and be directly relevant to the priority area identified.

• Project Activities and Methodology: Discuss all proposed project activities and describe the methodologies to be applied to implement the project. In this section the relation between project objectives, outputs and activities should be clear.

• Detailed work plan with a timetable related to the different activities.

• CVs of Team leader, and staff involved in the project implementation demonstrating their capacity to conduct the assignment.

Financial Proposal: Candidates should submit their financial proposal as per the template found in ANNEX 1.

TIME FRAME

This contract will be implemented over the period from 1 December 2024 to 30 June 2025 including the preparation phase. Quarterly Technical and Financial reports are expected to be delivered to the satisfaction of the ILO on a quarterly basis and a final report by 30 June 2025.

Deliverables shall be submitted in line with the requirements explained in the agreed upon TOR within the deadlines and are subject to the approval of the ILO.

Required Qualifications

To apply for this assignment the applicant should possess the following qualifications. Only non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Organizations carrying out non-profit oriented work, including: non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, research institutions, statistical institutions, educational institutions (including universities), intergovernmental organizations, and any other entities of a similar nature.

• Proven track record of at least 3-5 years of experience working with covered horticulture sector
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities specific to the horticulture sector agriculture in Lebanon or similar contexts for small-scale farming operations.
• Experience and knowledge on greenhouse technologies, particularly for smallholder farmers would be considered an advantage.
• The organization must demonstrate experience managing projects of similar scope and complexity, ensuring the delivery of high-quality results within agreed timelines and budgets.
• The applicant should possess a solid understanding of M&E frameworks, with demonstrated experience in tracking project indicators, outputs, and outcomes.
• The team should consist of professionals with relevant academic qualifications, including at least a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related disciplines.