About Centre for Social Markets
Founded in 2002, CSM is a Not-for-Profit Organisation that has been an early proponent of business and multi-stakeholder engagement in Climate Action in India. CSM has systematically worked in the field of Climate Change Response, Sustainable Agriculture and Responsible Business conduct by- publishing extensive research, creating learning material, organizing education and awareness activities on climate change, corporate social responsibility and sustainability practices.
Over the past decade CSM has been developing a programmatic approach in these areas and is incubating the Fairtrade India Project for developing sustainable and equitable food and fashion systems in India; undertaking a Climate Response & Resource Conservation Action (CRREA) project in the Western Ghats; developing an integrated sustainable value-chain with the tribal community of Andhra Pradesh and undertaking education campaigns related to SDG12, Fairtrade and adoption of sustainable practices by businesses, institutions and citizens. CSM aims to create an eco-system of businesses, farmer organisations, government agencies, institutions and citizens who will champion and mainstream sustainability in India.
1. Background
CSM in collaboration with donors and District Administration, ASR District, is aiming to bring farmers under Fairtrade Certification for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in ASR. CSM is looking to improve the livelihood conditions of targeted farmer groups by linking to markets. This initiative seeks to promote local agriculture, enhance production capabilities, improve product value-addition, and boost the economy of the community and the region. Consultants will be responsible for providing expert advice, technical assistance, and facilitating the completion of the Fairtrade Certification Process for the targeted FPOs.
2. Objective
The objective of this consultancy is to provide professional and technical services for the Fairtrade Certification for coffee and spices in the Alluri Sitaramaraju District and to also guide for systems improvement of the FPOS to ensure better value realization for the farmers.
3. Scope of Project
- Introduction to FLO (Fairtrade International) Certification and roadmap for the application process
- Detailed walkthrough on the eligibility and structural requirements for FLO (Fairtrade International) Certification
- Guidance on membership data requirements and collection and provide feedback on the data collected.
- Governance compliance review and requirements
- Requirements for forming Internal Management System as per Fairtrade Certification requirement
- Commercialisation requirements for compliance with Certification requirements
- Support with establishing documentary and Physical Traceability framework
- Labour conditions requirements and review
- Detailed training on Year zero FLO Certification Compliance Criteria requirements
- Providing and supporting with the completion of all the templates for standard operating procedures (SOPs), documentation requirements, policies, resolutions and other documentation and system/process requirements to comply with the FLO (Fairtrade International) Certification.
- In addition one mock audit would need to be done by the consultants before the formal audit
- Post-audit support for addressing any non-conformities identified in the audit
- The delivery of these services will need to be undertaken in the following formats in the first year:
- Online Training: Technical training in English (if needed with Telugu translation) will need to be provided by subject matter experts on the initial requirements for the audit through online- Zoom/Google Meet/WhatsApp sessions. About two such sessions may be required.
- Expert visit and physical training: Fairtrade Standards expert would need to visit ASR and provide in-person training to the CSM staff, MACS BoD/staff as required. Currently two visits are anticipated for the initial training.
- Evaluation visits by local team: Technical staff will visit the designated MACS to review the documentation and progress made. In addition, a physical mock audit would need to be done by the expert.
- Online help: Online help through calls, emails and conference calls will need to be provided to the implementation team on a needs basis.
- In all expect the consultant to make atleast three field visits for minimum two days each for training and also conducting the mock audit.
4. Qualifications
The consultant or consulting firm must possess the following qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in setting up or advising on the FLO (Fairtrade International) Certification, preferably in the coffee or spice sectors (depending on the scope of work being applied for).
- Experience especially, in Andhra Pradesh or with Tribal farming communities would be an added advantage.
- Proven experience in training and capacity building for local communities.
- Proven expertise in establishing certification systems with smallholder farmers cultivating coffee and spices processing and quality improvement programme.
5. Submission of Proposals
Interested consultants/firms should submit their proposals, including
- Technical proposal covering
- Relevant experience
- Approach, methodology and timelines
- Indicative list of SOPs, templates and Policies
- Profiles/ CVs of team members
- Reference from previous client
Full Commercial proposal
- Breakdown of costs by expertise/ consultant time
- Travel costs
- Other costs where related
Submit by 7:00pm IST 1st July 2026 to info@csmworld.org . Incomplete proposals will be automatically rejected.