| Overview : REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PREPARATION OF AN INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND INVESTMENT PROPOSAL FOR MT. ELGON AND RWENZORI LANDSCAPES BACKGROUND In Uganda, mountains provide many important functions to the people, particularly in the context of food and security. This is in addition to their role as a habitat for biodiversity (important flora and fauna) that is also important for the economy. Uganda’s mountain ecosystems host natural capital such as tourism assets, minerals, and water, which are critical to the development of Uganda’s green economy. They are the most densely populated areas (besides the urban centers), because of the fertile soils and climatic conditions favorable for agriculture, and host minority groups, whose existence and livelihood is almost exclusively dependent on mountain ecosystem resources. Considering the rate at which mountain landscapes are degrading, the government of Uganda initiated the process of restoring mountain landscapes, starting with the most affected areas of Eastern and Western Uganda. However, for this process to be implemented effectively, there is need to conduct an assessment to generate information that will inform the process. The information gathered, and the discussions held with all stakeholders during the study, will inform the restoration process. In order to enable implementation of the Integrated Watershed Management and Investments for Restoration of Mt. Elgon and Rwenzori Landscapes in Uganda project, a feasibility study on updating and validating the existing developments and the prevailing socio-economic dynamics needed to be conducted. OBJECTIVE OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY The overall objective is to prepare an integrated watershed management program and investment proposal for Mt. Elgon and Rwenzori Landscapes in Uganda. The study objective is to propose an investment project for Integrated Watershed Management through a sector development program modality for Mt. Elgon and Rwenzori Landscapes. Specific objectives include; 1. To document baseline conditions and state of resources of the landscape including uses 2. To identify the drivers of change and predict scenarios as is necessary including restoration strategies as guided by the state of the landscape 3. To map contemporary uses and state factors on options to steer development The project must contribute towards addressing catchment degradation issues optimal and sustained production of the integrated use of natural resources of the watersheds with minimum damage to the environment for the benefit of the inhabitants of the watershed and the communities linked to them. Intending applicants can access and download the Request for Proposal Documents (RFP) and Terms of Reference (TORs) from the UNDP Uganda Procurement Notices Proposals should be submitted to tenders.kampala@undp.org by not later than 17:00 hours on Tuesday October 13th , 2020 | 
