Background and Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) supports community-led initiatives that promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive economic development. In South Africa, the SGP Country Programme Strategy (CPS) under GEF Operational Phases 7 and 8 prioritised community-based wildlife economy projects contributing towards the implementation of government’s National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES), with a strong focus on community empowerment, conservation outcomes and socio-economic benefits for local communities. These projects are implemented across three biodiversity economy nodes, namely:  

• Greater Kruger-Limpopo Biodiversity Economy Node
• Greater Addo–Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node
• Greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park Biodiversity Economy Node

Thus far, SGP has supported over 25 wildlife economy projects across the 3 nodes focused on community-based ecotourism, small-scale fisheries, sustainable agriculture, human-wildlife co-existence, waste management, community conservation and ecosystem restoration, as well as value-added enterprises such as art and crafts production using recycled materials, clay and indigenous plant species through bioprospecting approaches. 

Over a period of two (2) years, the GEF SGP intends to engage a service provider to support ongoing communications for these projects. The two main areas of work will be: (a) to document compelling stories of change in video documentary format from twenty (20) supported community projects across the three landscapes and (b) to develop twenty (20) articles with photographs on the respective projects.  The selected projects will include completed and ongoing wildlife economy projects under the GEF Operational Phases 7 and 8, split as follows: 6 projects in Addo-Amathole; 7 projects in iSimangaliso Wetland Park and 7 projects in the Kruger node. 

Purpose of the Request for Proposals 

The SGP invites qualified and experienced storytelling and communications service providers to submit proposals for the production of short documentary-style videos that capture stories of change emerging from selected GEF SGP community wildlife economy projects. 

The appointed service provider will be responsible for end-to-end storytelling, including concept development, field-based filming, editing, translation and delivery of broadcast-quality documentary outputs and articles.  

Objectives of the Assignment

The objectives of the assignment are to: 

1. Document high-quality stories of change through video documentaries across the 3 biodiversity economy nodes that communicate project impacts.
2. Amplify community voices using participatory and ethical storytelling approaches.
3. Produce video content suitable for donor reporting, programme learning, advocacy and external communications.
4. Produce written articles with photographs showcasing community success stories from the projects.
5. Strengthen visibility of the GEF SGP’s contribution to South Africa’s biodiversity economy – and awareness on how community-based enterprises contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and local economic development.
6. On completed projects, highlight in the documentaries and articles, the investment readiness and scaling potential of selected projects with a view to attracting public and private sector partnerships and blended finance opportunities. 

Enable capturing, sharing of knowledge and lessons learnt between the biodiversity economy project communities

Scope of Work

The service provider will work closely with the GEF SGP National Coordinator and programme team. The scope of work will include, but not limited to the following:

Inception Phase

• Participate in an inception/kick-off meeting with the GEF SGP team.
• Review relevant programme documentation.
• Develop an inception report outlining, among others:
  • Documentary storytelling approach and narrative framework
  • Criteria for selecting projects and stories
  • Ethical considerations, safeguarding and consent processes in line with South Africa’s POPI Act.

  • Filming schedule and workplan for the two-year period (detailed filming schedules will be done on an ongoing basis as appropriate)

     

Field-Based Video Production and Technical Specifications

• Conduct field visits to selected projects across the Kruger, Addo–Amathole, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park landscapes.
• Film interviews with project beneficiaries, community members, project leaders, and partners e.g. park authorities and local government partners.
• Capture supporting footage, including landscapes, project activities and community interactions.
• Conduct interviews in local languages spoken in the respective nodes, where appropriate and provide English subtitles in the final product.

Ensure culturally sensitive, gender-responsive and ethical engagement with communities

The service provider shall ensure that all video products meet contemporary documentary production standards. At a minimum:

• Filming must be conducted in 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution to ensure future-proofing and broadcast adaptability.
• Use of professional cinema-grade cameras and lenses capable of high dynamic range capture, particularly for diverse landscape conditions.
• Incorporation of aerial drone footage (where legally permitted and environmentally appropriate) to capture landscapes, biodiversity nodes, and ecosystem scale. All drone operations must comply with South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations.
• Use of stabilised filming equipment (e.g., gimbals, tripods, sliders) to ensure smooth, professional-quality cutaways and motion sequences.
• High-quality directional and lapel microphones to ensure clean, broadcast-grade audio capture, particularly in outdoor or community settings.
• Capture of sufficient b-roll and cutaway footage to enhance storytelling depth and visual continuity.
• Professional lighting solutions where required to ensure consistent visual quality during interviews.

Quarterly Community Success Stories (Written & Visual) 

• Produce maximum 3 community success stories per quarter over the duration of the assignment.
• Each story should highlight: 
  • Key project milestones and progress achieved during the period.
  • Beneficiary experiences, perspectives and voices.
  • Social, economic and environmental outcomes emerging from project implementation.
• Develop short written articles of approximately 300-500 words per story (per project) suitable for newsletters, websites and social media platforms. 
• Capture high-quality photographs from project sites to accompany each story, including photos of project beneficiaries and their leaders (with consent) as well as images of project activities and milestones.

Provide clear photo captions for images submitted

Video Editing, Post-Production and Packaging

• Produce short documentary-style videos for each selected project (indicative length to be proposed, e.g. 5 - 7 minutes per project).
• Include English subtitles for all non-English dialogue. Ensure subtitles are professionally timed and formatted. 
• Integrate graphics, captions, animated infographics, music and branding in line with UNDP and GEF SGP guidelines.
• Incorporate feedback from the GEF SGP team and revise accordingly.
• Deliver final videos in multiple formats suitable for web, social media, presentations and events.
• Provide short teaser clips and still images extracted from footage.
• Deliver platform-optimized exports, including 4K master files, full HD versions for web, vertical and square formats for social media.
• Provide fully archived raw footage and project files for future repurposing.

Ongoing Project Communications and Social Media Storytelling

In addition to documentary production and quarterly success stories, the service provider will support ongoing communications with selected ongoing projects to ensure regular visibility of implementation progress. 

This will require: 

• Establishing and maintaining communications channels with selected projects (e.g. monthly check-ins, WhatsApp groups, scheduled phone / virtual interviews).
• Regularly collecting updates on implementation progress, milestones achieved, challenges and experiences. To include photo-based snapshots with captions and short video clips.
• Identify story angles aligned to project cycles or milestones (e.g. training sessions, infrastructure installations, market access milestones, community events, conservation outcomes, etc.). 
• Translate field updates into short, engaging content suitable for digital platforms.

Deliverables

The key deliverables will include:

1. Inception report and detailed workplan.
2. 20 short documentary videos (max 3 videos per quarter from selected projects).
3. 20 (max 3 per quarter) short articles linked to the selected projects.
4. English-subtitled versions of all videos.
5. Short teaser clips (30–60 seconds) for communication use
6. Ongoing short-form social media content (max 6-8 short social media posts per quarter across ongoing projects)

7. A consolidated SGP video documentary of all selected projects (approx. 10min) and a final summary report highlighting key themes, impacts and lessons across projects.

   Duration of the Assignment

The assignment will be implemented over a period of two years / 24months from the date of contract signature. Deliverables will be phased and aligned with project implementation timelines as well as community availability.

Reporting and Coordination

• The service provider will report to the GEF SGP National Coordinator. 
• Regular progress updates and review meetings will be required.
• Deliverables will be subject to review and written approval by the GEF SGP team as well as the SGP National Steering Committee.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Interested service providers must demonstrate:

• A minimum of 5–7 years’ experience in documentary filmmaking, video storytelling or development communications.
• Proven experience in producing community-based or development-focused documentary videos.
• Strong understanding of biodiversity conservation, biodiversity economy, or natural resource management programmes.
• Demonstrated experience working in rural and community contexts in South Africa.
• Working knowledge of local languages spoken in the targeted nodes, including conducting interviews and managing translations.
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver high-end documentary productions using contemporary filming technologies (4K capture, drone cinematography, stabilised filming systems, advanced colour grading workflows) will be considered an added advantage.
• Experience working with donor-funded programmes (GEF, UNDP, or similar) is an advantage.

Team Composition

The proposed team should include, at a minimum (include the CVs of team members):

• Lead documentary filmmaker / director
• Field-based camera operator(s)
• Sound and post-production specialist
• Writer
• Editor and subtitling specialist

• Translator/interpreter

   

Ethical and Safeguarding Considerations

The service provider must:

• Obtain informed consent from participants prior to filming.
• Respect cultural norms, community protocols, and traditional leadership structures.
• Ensure safeguarding of vulnerable groups, including women and youth.
• Comply with UNDP and GEF ethical standards and safeguarding policies.

Intellectual Property and Usage Rights

All video materials, raw footage, and edited products produced under this assignment shall remain the property of UNDP GEF SGP. The service provider may not reproduce or use the materials for other purposes without prior written consent.

No equipment will be purchased or provided by UNDP GEF SGP. Any equipment needed to complete this assignment will be provided by the service provider. 

Deliverables and Payment Schedule

The service provider will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

• All payments are subject to submission of an invoice and a written approval of deliverables by the GEF SGP National Coordinator
• Payment schedule may be adjusted in consultation with the appointed service provider, depending on final sequencing and production planning. 

Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested service providers are invited to submit the following:

 Technical Proposal

• Understanding of the assignment and proposed approach
• Documentary concept and storytelling methodology
• Workplan and timeline for the two-year period
• Team composition and roles
• Relevant experience and portfolio (links to previous work)

   Financial Proposal 

• Detailed budget covering all costs (fieldwork, travel, filming, editing, translations, etc.)
• All-inclusive cost breakdown per delivery.
• Please submit financial proposal as a separate document from the technical proposal. 

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria outlined in Annex 1 below. Only bidders achieving minimum of 70% of the technical score will proceed to financial evaluation. 

Application Procedure

Applicants are required to submit their proposals to bids.za@undp.org on or before the 26th of March 2026 with the subject line: GEF SGP Communications Support. No late submissions will be accepted. Enquiries can be directed to Gefsgp.sa@undp.org . Shortlisted service providers may be requested to present their proposals to the SGP National Steering Committee. 

ANNEX 1: Evaluation Criteria