The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in collaboration with the Partners for Water programme, invites expressions of interest for a market orientation supporting the next steps in developing an integrated, landscape-based approach to water resilience in the greater Semarang region, Indonesia.
This initiative is aligned with the Indonesian government’s ambitions for coastal protection and urban resilience, and aims to lay the groundwork for a future tender.
Visit TenderNed for more information on the tender and procedureAbout the project
Building upon previous efforts including Phase I: Setting the Scene, this second phase focuses on shaping a coordinated vision for the Semarang region towards 2045. It seeks to develop a finance-ready, inclusive and institutionally anchored portfolio of project interventions to address pressing water and climate challenges.
Key elements of the project include
- Designing actionable project pathways
Through co-creation workshops and local engagement, two case studies will be developed in hotspot areas of Greater Semarang. These will serve as the basis for pre-feasibility investment packages. - Policy and financial alignment
Projects will be designed to align with Indonesian planning frameworks such as the Blue Book and Green Book. Active collaboration with institutions such as. Invest International, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank is foreseen. - Strategic communication
Outputs will be translated into accessible, bilingual materials to inform dialogue with policymakers, communities, and financial stakeholders. - Replicability and scaling
A preliminary study for the Cirebon region will be included, enabling replication of the Semarang approach in other North Java coastal areas.
Aims of the market orientation
This market orientation aims to:
- Identify interested parties with relevant expertise;
- Assess the feasibility of assembling strong international-local consortia;
- Collect insights to refine the scope and structure of the upcoming tender;
- Obtain budget indications for expected services.
Required Expertise
We are seeking input from consortia or organisations with capabilities in:
- Integrated landscape and water planning;
- Governance and institutional analysis;
- Project finance and investment planning;
- Technical design, nature-based solutions, and modelling;
- Strategic communication and stakeholder engagement.
The proposed team should include both international and Indonesia-based experts. Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia is required for local roles and an asset for team leads.
Deadline for submission
📅 Deadline for submission: 4 July 2025
Please note: This is a market orientation. Proposals will not be evaluated. Based on the outcome, a formal tender may follow.
More information on the procedurePartners for Water is seeking organisations with expertise in water management to contribute to a pivotal project aimed at enhancing water efficiency and biodiversity conservation within the Colombian coffee sector. Through the Netherlands International Water Ambition (NIWA) we aim to strengthen strategic partnerships by increasing water security for humans, plants and animals.
Visit TenderNed for more information on the tender and procedureBackground
The collaboration between Colombia and the Netherlands on water efficiency and biodiversity conservation has a solid foundation, marked by significant milestones and studies over recent years. In 2020, a pilot study assessed costs and benefits of enhanced irrigation efficiency within the Colombian palm oil sector. In 2021, a project focused on Aquifer Storage and Recovery was conducted to promote sustainable banana production in the Magdalena region. A year later a collaboration with the Water Governance Platform was established, to contribute to the participation of all relevant stakeholders in decision-making processes for water conservation.
Following this, in 2023, comprehensive data collection efforts were undertaken to understand the water/biodiversity/food nexus, in order to stimulate understanding of the intricate relationships between production activities, conservation efforts, and ecosystem services. Building on this momentum, a subsequent study pinpointed opportunities for international collaboration in projects designed to bolster collaboration with counterpart organisations while working on a sustainable coffee sector, focusing on the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) area.
The Project
The new Partners for Water project will support a larger effort funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), targeting environmental challenges in the CGSM area, specifically within the Fundación and Aracataca water basins. The project’s objectives include stimulating water efficiency and biodiversity conservation efforts that directly benefit the Colombian coffee sector, positive ecological impacts on the CGSM-area and community resilience.
Requirements
The selected contractor for the PfW project will be required to closely coordinate and collaborate with local stakeholders, emphasising the importance of understanding the regional context and building strong relationships with local partners. This collaboration aims to ensure the local appropriation of technologies, taking into account both the benefits and barriers. Through data collection and the application of surveys the ultimate goal is to identify and implement technological improvements or management alternatives that enhance water efficiency and decontamination processes within the Colombian coffee sector, tailored to meet the needs of the local conditions and communities, particularly the families working in coffee production.
Deliverables
The project aims to deliver actionable strategies for the adoption of water saving and decontamination technologies. These strategies will form the foundation for the GEF-project’s incentives for coffee growers and the establishment of demonstrative farms, showcasing sustainable practices in the coffee sector.
Invitation to Apply
Organisations with a proven track record in water management and a commitment to sustainable development are invited to apply for this tender. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of international efforts to combine water efficiency with biodiversity conservation in one of Colombia’s most vital agricultural sectors.
Visit TenderNed for more information on the tender and procedureApplication Process
Interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications, detailing their expertise, experience in similar projects, and understanding of the Colombian coffee sector’s specific challenges and opportunities. This project not only aims to make a significant impact on a sustainable Colombian coffee production but also offers organisations the chance to strengthen strategic international partnerships, contributing to global water security, safety and biodiversity conservation efforts.
For more information on how to apply, please visit the TenderNed website and read the official tender documents. Questions about this tender can only be submitted through the procedure described in the tender documents.
Partners for Water is a Dutch government programme enhancing water security internationally in long-term cooperation with local partners and the Dutch water sector. By facilitating strategic planning and support in the early stages of innovation, the programme aims to contribute to systemic change for sustainable water management and infrastructure. This is how we initiate impactful changes for a better living environment.
