REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
Selection of Agency for Production of a Documentary Film on a River System in the Sundarbans
RFP No.: 01 of 2026
Date of Issue: 19 March 2026
Last Date for Submission: 10 April 2026
1. Introduction
AHEAD Initiatives is a not-for-profit organization working on food system development (food sovereignty), sustainable livelihoods (eco-livelihood), context-based learning interventions (intergenerational lifelong learning) in West Bengal and Odisha, including the Sundarbans region. In the process, AHEAD Initiatives focuses on community resilience and ecological conservation.
The organisation invites proposals from qualified agencies/consortia for the production of a high-quality documentary film and associated knowledge products on the Kalindi river system in the Sundarbans.
The assignment aims to capture the interconnected relationship between the river, ecology, and human life, generating outputs for advocacy, knowledge dissemination, and resource mobilization.
2. Background
The Sundarbans delta is a fragile socio-ecological system shaped by an intricate network of rivers. These rivers influence:
Settlement patterns
- Livelihood systems (fishing, agriculture, forest dependence)
- Cultural practices and belief systems
- Climate vulnerability and resilience
At the same time, human activity impacts river morphology, water quality, and ecological balance.
This assignment seeks to document the river as a dynamic living system, integrating scientific, cultural, and experiential perspectives.
3. Objectives
3.1 Primary Objective
To produce a cinematic, film festival-quality documentary on the selected river.
3.2 Secondary Objectives
- Develop short audio-visual content for fundraising and outreach
- Document community voices and lived experiences
- Produce a written analytical narrative report
4. Scope of Work
The selected agency will be responsible for the end-to-end execution of the assignment.
4.1 Pre-Production
- Desk research and literature review
- Stakeholder mapping
- Concept development and storyline
- Script/narrative framework
- Detailed production plan
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.