Request for Proposal (RFP)
Baseline Evaluation Study for the Early Childhood Development & Women’s Health Initiative in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
1. Background and Context
Mobile Creches (MC), active since 1969, has played a transformative role in promoting early childhood development (ECD) among India’s most marginalized populations. Operating through an integrated framework encompassing healthcare, nutrition, early education, and community systemic strengthening, MC has reached over 870,000 children across 13 states and union territories.
In the tribal heartlands of India, child undernutrition and systemic healthcare deprivations create severe structural blockades during the first 1,000 days of a child's life. This fundamentally compromises long-term cognitive development, school readiness, and socioemotional competencies. To address these deep-seated gaps, Mobile Creches, in partnership with the Tata Trusts, is launching an evidence-based intervention- setting up creches operationalising the nurturing care framework titled "Nourish. Nurture. Empower – An ECD and Women’s Health Initiative in Tribal India".
The target geography for this intervention is Etapalli block of Gadchiroli District in Maharashtra—predominantly inhabited by vulnerable Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities (such as the Gond, Madia, and Pardhan). The landscape is characterized by remote, forested, and civil unrest (Maoist conflict-affected) terrains that historically restrict consistent public service delivery.
About the Project
Mobile Creches, in partnership with Tata Trusts, is launching an evidence-based intervention titled "Nourish. Nurture. Empower – An ECD and Women’s Health Initiative in Tribal India". The project addresses the intersecting crises of severe child malnutrition, stunting, and maternal health complications within the remote and forest-covered tribal terrains of Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. Over a period of three years, the initiative will establish 45 high-quality community creches across a targeted block to provide holistic nutrition, healthcare access, and early childhood stimulation for children under three years of age, alongside empowering pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Before commencing center operations, Mobile Creches seeks to recruit a qualified, highly competent research agency to execute a comprehensive mixed-methods Baseline Evaluation Study.
Submission Guidelines & Notice Summary
- Posting Title: Request for Proposal (RFP): Baseline Evaluation Study for Early Childhood Development & Women’s Health Initiative in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
- Issuing Organization: Mobile Creches
- Assignment Location: Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India
- Application Deadline: 23rd June 2026
- Submission Email: Interested agencies, research institutions, or research consulting organisations are requested to submit their detailed technical and financial proposals directly to Meal@mobilecreches.org
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.