CRS Terms of Reference for BDS Support to Circular Economy MSMEs for VOICES Project in Kigoma, Tanzania – February 2026

Catholic Relief Services

Terms of Reference for Provision of Business

Development Services (BDS) support to Circular

Economy MSMEs for the Vitalizing Opportunities

in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions

in Lake Tanganyika (VOICES) project, Tanzania

(Kigoma)

February 2026Terms of Reference

Provision of Business Development Services (BDS) support to Circular Economy

MSMEs

Introduction:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with its in-country partner Caritas Kigoma, is

implementing the Vitalizing Opportunities in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions in Lake

Tanganyika (VOICES) project in three (3) districts of Kigoma Region, Tanzania. The project aims

to improve water quality in Lake Tanganyika by enhancing knowledge and testing circular

economic practices to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and lower energy consumption

through recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing. To achieve sustainable waste management and

effectively promote the circular economy, the VOICES project is running a Circular Economy

Challenge Fund (CECF).

The Circular Economy Challenge Fund (CECF) focuses on building sustainable ecosystems by

fostering a culture of resource efficiency, innovation, reducing waste, and promoting inclusive

growth by prioritizing women- and youth-led CE businesses. The objectives of CECF are.

 Enhance the adoption of circular economy practices, such as recycling, waste reduction,

upcycling, and renewable resource use.

 Enhance the capacity and scalability of circular economy MSMEs at various stages of

development through the provision of the technical, financial, and BDS support needed.

 Encourage community participation, innovation, and development of sustainable CE,

inclusive businesses contributing to environmental protection.

 Contribute to the global sustainability agenda by aligning with SDGs, particularly SDG 12

(responsible production and consumption).

The Circular Economy Challenge Fund (CECF) will provide financial support to micro, small, and

medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that innovate within the circular economy, addressing

environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities for diverse enterprises and

suppliers, including community-based, savings groups, and women’s and youth-led initiatives.

In addition, CECF will offer Business Development Services (BDS) to startups and businesses

at the ideation stage to reduce high failure rates, build entrepreneurial capacity, and foster

sustainable growth. These services equip entrepreneurs with essential skills in business

planning, financial management, and regulatory compliance, while facilitating access to markets

and strategic networks. Through mentorship, technical support, and innovation resources, BDS

will transform ideas into viable enterprises, enhance innovation and competitiveness, and drive

job creation, ultimately positioning early-stage businesses to survive, scale, and contribute

meaningfully to economic development

1. Scope of the Assignment

2a) Purpose and Objectives

The primary objective of the Business Development Services (BDS) program under the CECF

is to engage a qualified Entrepreneurship Support Organization (ESO) to enhance the capacity

of at least 60 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operating within the circular

economy space. The program aims to strengthen early-stage entrepreneurs and emerging

businesses by equipping them with the skills and support needed to develop sustainable,

competitive, and market-ready enterprises. Additionally, the assignment seeks to facilitate the

transformation of innovative ideas into viable business models that drive economic growth,

generate employment opportunities, and promote environmental sustainability. Specifically, the

ESO, through the CECF BDS program, will:

 Enhance Entrepreneurial Skills: Provide training on business planning, financial

literacy, marketing, and operational management to build a strong foundation for growth.

 Support Idea Validation and Market Access: Help participants assess the feasibility of

their concepts, understand customer needs, and identify market opportunities.

 Facilitate Access to Mentorship and Networks: Connect startups with experienced

mentors, industry experts, and potential partners to guide them through early-stage

challenges.

 Promote Inclusive and Innovative Business Models: Encourage women- and youth-

led enterprises, micro-businesses, and CBOs to adopt approaches that integrate value

chain development and circular economy principles.

 Facilitate growth: Through incubation programs, equip businesses with tools to develop

investor-friendly proposals and understand funding options for scaling.

b) Role of the Business Development Firm

ESO will serve as both the organizer and implementer of the Business Development Services

(BDS) program for MSMEs on behalf of CRS. Its responsibilities will include:

• Support MSMEs to refine and validate their business concepts within the circular

economy.

• Strengthen the managerial, technical, and financial capacities of participating

entrepreneurs.

• Guide enterprises in developing market-ready, scalable, and investment-worthy business

models.

• Provide tailored coaching, mentorship, and practical tools to enhance business

sustainability and competitiveness.

• Facilitate linkages to markets, investors, and ecosystem partners that can enable

business growth.

3• Assist entrepreneurs in integrating circular economy principles into their operations,

products, and value chains.

• Monitor and track enterprise progress to ensure measurable improvements in business

performance and market readiness.

2. Location and Targeted Groups

The assignment will be implemented in the Kigoma region within the VOICES project area of

implementation. Specifically,

• Kigoma Ujiji Municipal Council(Kigoma Ujiji MC)

• Kigoma District Council (Kigoma DC)

• Uvinza District Council (Uvinza DC)

The target audience for the business development services consists of circular economy (CE)

MSMEs, startups, and enterprises at the ideation stage. This includes women and youth-led

businesses, micro-enterprises, individuals, particularly youth or women with innovative CE

ideas, SILC group, and community-based organizations (CBOs) engaged in circular economy

value chain development, waste management service delivery, and CE-driven innovations. The

intervention focuses solely on enterprises and individuals based and operating within the

implementation areas of Kigoma Ujiji Municipal Council, Kigoma District Council, and Uvinza

District Council.

3. Methodology

The ESO is expected to apply a participatory and results-oriented methodology that ensures

effective capacity building, enterprise growth, and integration of circular economy principles. The

methodology will include the following key phases:

a) Capacity Building

The capacity-building component aims to strengthen the foundational skills and knowledge

necessary for individual startups and businesses at the ideation stage to thrive. It will include:

• Build Entrepreneurship Skills: Training in business planning, financial literacy,

marketing strategies, and compliance with regulatory requirements to ensure sound

business operations.

• Technical Skills Development: Support in product design, quality assurance, and

adoption of digital tools and technologies to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness

of CE innovations.

• Soft Skills: Development of leadership, negotiation, and communication skills to improve

decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

• Linkages & Networking: Facilitation of connections with suppliers, financiers,

distributors, and strategic partners to create market opportunities and strengthen value

chains.

b) Advisory, Coaching, & Mentorship

4This component provides tailored guidance and expert support to help businesses navigate

challenges and scale effectively. It will include:

• Business Coaching: One-on-one sessions focused on strategy, operations, and growth

planning to address specific business needs.

• Mentorship: Access to experienced industry professionals who will provide insights,

facilitate peer-to-peer learning to share best practices, and offer sector-specific advice.

• Legal & Regulatory Advisory: Assistance in understanding and complying with legal

requirements, including business formalization, taxation, and intellectual property

protection.

c) Access to Finance

This component aims to improve financial readiness and connect startups with funding

opportunities to support innovation and growth. It will include:

• Linkages to Financial Service Providers: Recommend the MSMEs suitable for the

CECF financial support and link the beneficiaries of this program with other programs and

financial service providers. These linkages will enable startups to access capital for

adopting technology, product development, and scaling innovative solutions.

4. Main Tasks of the Assignment

The ESO will be responsible for carrying out the following key tasks:

a) Enterprise Assessment and Selection

• Conduct a rapid assessment of shortlisted Circular Economy (CE) MSMEs to understand

their capacity, challenges, and opportunities.

• Develop a transparent and objective selection framework to finalize the cohort of MSMEs

to receive support.

• Prepare a comprehensive assessment report outlining the business gaps, growth

potential, and circularity opportunities of each selected enterprise.

b) Capacity Building and Training

Deliver structured and practical training sessions addressing core business and circular

economy competencies, including but not limited to:

• Business model design, development, and validation.

• Financial literacy, bookkeeping, cash flow management, and investment readiness.

• Marketing, branding, digital visibility, and customer acquisition strategies.

• Product development, quality assurance, and value addition.

• Circular economy concepts, resource efficiency, waste minimization, and environmentally

sustainable operational practices.

5• Compliance with standards, certifications, and relevant regulatory requirements.

c) Coaching and Mentorship

• Provide individualized coaching tailored to the unique growth needs of each MSME.

• Support entrepreneurs to refine business concepts, cost structures, pricing strategies,

and value propositions.

• Offer hands-on guidance on operational improvements, product enhancement, and

market entry or expansion strategies.

d) Market and Investment Linkages

• Facilitate meaningful connections between MSMEs and potential buyers, distributors,

suppliers, and key ecosystem actors.

e) f) • Organize investor engagement sessions such as pitch events, demo days, or investment-

readiness workshops.

• Support MSMEs in preparing investor pitch decks, business plans, business cases, and

detailed financial projections.

Development of Growth and Sustainability Plans

• Assist MSMEs in developing, formalizing, or refining business growth plans that are

aligned with circular economy principles.

• Integrate tools and methodologies that help enterprises monitor resource use, reduce

waste, and enhance operational efficiency.

• Provide expert guidance on scaling strategies and pathways for long-term enterprise

sustainability.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Sharing

• Track and document the progress of supported enterprises using predefined performance

indicators and monitoring tools.

• Prepare and submit periodic (e.g., monthly or quarterly) progress reports and a

comprehensive end-of-assignment final report.

• Capture and document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories for

dissemination and knowledge sharing.

5. Deliverables

The ESO will be required to produce the following deliverables over the course of the assignment:

I. Needs Assessment

6• MSME Diagnostic Report: A comprehensive assessment for each MSME outlining gaps in

entrepreneurial capacity, technical skills, financial readiness, operational efficiency, and

market access.

• Needs Assessment Summary: A consolidated overview of common gaps, priority needs,

and capacity-building recommendations for the MSME cohort.

II. Capacity Building

a. Training Deliverables

• Training Curriculum and Materials: Complete set of training modules, facilitator

guides, case studies, presentations, and practical assignments developed for CE

MSMEs.

• Training Delivery Report: Documentation of four 5-day intensive co-creation workshops

for two cohorts (2 per MSME cohort), including attendance lists, training photos,

pre/post-tests, session summaries, and participant evaluations.

• Post-Training Skills Assessment: A report summarizing participant knowledge

acquisition, skill improvements, and immediate application capacity following the

workshops.

b. Mentorship

• Weekly Mentorship: One-to-one mentorship sessions detailing progress, challenges,

and action points for each MSME.

• Mentorship Progress Report: A consolidated narrative and analytical report

summarizing mentorship outcomes, enterprise improvements, and outstanding needs.

III. Monitoring and Evaluation

• KPI Information: Performance information tracking the number of MSMEs supported,

revenue growth, job creation, market linkages established, and financing mobilized.

• Monthly Review Report: An analysis comparing baseline findings with performance,

identifying shifts in enterprise competencies and progress toward KPIs.

• Final Evaluation and Impact Report: A comprehensive end-of-project report

documenting overall achievements, enterprise-level outcomes, lessons learned, and

recommendations for future interventions.

6. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment will last for six (6) months, starting from the date of signing the contract. The

timeline may be adjusted based on project needs.

7. Required Qualifications of the ESO

The ESO should demonstrate the following qualifications and capacities:

7• Must be a legally registered firm or organization with valid registration documents from

the relevant national authorities.

• Proven experience in providing BDS, entrepreneurship training, and technical assistance

to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Demonstrated expertise in innovation

support, product development, and business model development for early-stage

enterprises.

• Prior experience supporting or working with Circular Economy (CE), green businesses,

sustainability-focused enterprises, or resource efficiency initiatives is a strong advantage.

• Experience developing practical training tools and tailored learning materials suitable for

participants with various education levels. With a strong track record of mobilizing,

training, and mentoring MSMEs, particularly youth-led and women-led enterprises, within

similar programs

• Previous experience managing entrepreneurship awards, business challenges, or

incubation/acceleration programs involving young and women is considered an added

advantage.

• Practical experience in private-sector service delivery, product management, or

supporting enterprises to develop, test, and refine new products or services.

• Previous or current experience implementing enterprise within the target region—

including work with communities in Kigoma MC, Kigoma DC, and Uvinza DC—is an

added advantage.

• Must have a team that includes qualified professionals with expertise in business

development, entrepreneurship, circular economy or environmental sustainability,

financial literacy, marketing, and market linkages. They must also demonstrate strong

skills in coaching, mentorship, and enterprise capacity building to effectively support

MSMEs.

8. Application Process

Interested consultants are requested to submit the following.

1. Technical proposal

• Qualifications and experience of the consultant or team

• Methodology and work plan

• Examples of similar work completed.

2. Financial Proposal

• Detailed budget breakdown in TZS

• Workplan

3. Proof of business licenses and EFD receipt

Submission of Proposal

8The proposal is to be sent to the email address of the undersigned 14 days after the advert is

shared out to:

Catholic Relief Services – Tanzania Program

E-mail; [email protected]

Note: Please indicate “Provision of Business Development Service (BDS) to MSMES on Circular

Economy for the Vitalizing Opportunities in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions in Lake

Tanganyika (VOICES) project.”

Bid must be written in English and addressed to the attention of the CRS Tanzania’s Country

Manager and submitted to the above e-mail address on or before 25th February 2026 at 5:00

P.M

Award of Assignment

CRS will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial

feasibility. CRS reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving

reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest, the highest, or any bidder. Only the successful

applicant will be contacted. CRS does not charge any fees to applicants for any recruitment.

Further, CRS has not retained any agent regarding this assignment

You are advised that this RFP does not constitute in any way a commitment on the part of CRS

Tanzania or its agents for any service requested.

Ethical Considerations and Safeguarding

All BDS activities and processes will be handled in line with ethical standards and the CRS

safeguarding policy and data protection protocols. The ESO will consider the participants’

demand for respect, integrity, and dignity. The ESO team will be trained to be sensitive to the

participants’ answers/reactions to themes and topics introduced during the activities. The

consultant will seek ethical approval and permission before the BDS provision.

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