The Global Natural Fibre Forum: Knowledge platform for Natural Fibres in the Commonwealth

Introduction and Project Objectives

The Commonwealth Secretariat through its Special Advisory Services Division (SASD) wishes to engage a consultant to implement a project entitled: The Global Natural Fibre Forum: Knowledge platform for Natural Fibres in the Commonwealth. The main aim of this project is to assist Commonwealth developing countries to develop their natural fibres industries. The services of a Consultant are required to facilitate the establishment of a sustainable network, run and managed by its members known as the Global Natural Fibre Forum (GNFF).

This project is as a result of a Pan-Commonwealth Natural Fibre Skills Development Programme held in Bengaluru, India from 21-24 June 2009. The objective of the programme was to raise awareness, stimulate demand and promote the efficiency and sustainability of natural fibres’ industries. Participants at the programme, representing various Commonwealth Developing Countries, expressed the need to be assisted in developing their natural fibres’ industries. One way of helping countries to exploit their natural fibres is to set up a knowledge platform that would among other objectives, act as a global information storage space for natural fibre craft, provide solutions to challenges faced by the industry through knowledge and skill transfer, build a common platform for natural fibre organisations across the world and provide grassroot producers with appropriate skills and fair-trade initiatives. Several institutions in India such as EXIMBANK, Central Bank of India, Coir Board and Government Ministries have expressed interest in supporting GNFF.

The Consultant will work with the Special Advisory Services Division and Industree Craft Foundation, an Indian not for profit organisation, that supports livelihood of rural artisans through skill development & market access. Industree Craft Foundation has agreed and volunteered to provide the institutional support that will include human resource, expertise and a home for GNFF network.

Scope of Work

Working closely with SASD and Industree Craft Foundation, the following are the tasks to be accomplished under this assignment.

(i) Consult potential GNFF members and potential partners using a questionnaire designed for this purpose;

(ii) Design a GNFF framework, strategy, operational plan and procedures that would make it inclusive, sustainable and useful to its members;

(iii) Collect and profile information on natural fibres in selected countries (to be agreed with SASD) that will include, but will not be limited to the following:

a. Information on partners and members;

b. Information on natural fibres, uses, etc;

c. Links to webpages on natural fibre;

d. Information on Natural Fibre technologies and the providers;

e. List of experts in various natural fibres;

f. List of institutions working on NF products, technology, markets etc;

g. Information on markets for NF products

h. Information and web-links to sites with guidelines and rules for exporting NF products;

(iv) Compile the above information into a booklet and database that would eventually be uploaded on a GNFF website;

(v) Organise and facilitate two stakeholders’ workshops in India with potential providers of information, technology, expertise and potential financiers of the GNFF.

(vi) Organise and facilitate a workshop in London to present draft GNFF framework, strategy, operational plan and procedures.

Contact for Submission of Applications: Mrs. Puja D Sharma, (p.sharma@commonwealth.int), Phone: +44-207-747-6531