Consultancy for Development of E-Learning Courses on Agri-Tech Innovation and Digital Business

Bhakta Marga, Kathmandu, Nepal

Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) is a not-for-profit civic tech company that operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and its applications, empowering young professionals to tackle emerging challenges in our communities. YI-Lab's mission is to engage young people in bridging science to people and policy through innovation.

The "Advancing Agri-tech and Climate Innovation in Nepal" project is implemented by YI-Lab supported by GIZ-GRAPE II Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union. The project aims to build climate-resilient, gender-transformative, and innovation-driven agribusiness ecosystems in Koshi, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces from September 2025 to May 2027.

Background of the Assignment

This assignment focuses on the project's third core component: the development of scalable digital learning tools. The 2025 YI-Lab Youth Survey revealed a significant skills gap, with 40% of youth citing a lack of relevant job opportunities and 14% identifying inadequate digital skills as a key barrier. Agri-entrepreneurs, smallholder farmers, and MSME owners further highlighted limited access to practical knowledge on climate-smart practices and digital tools for market access.

To bridge this gap, YI-Lab invites Expressions of Interest from qualified consulting firms to develop high-quality, expert-led e-learning courses. These courses must be technically sound in both agricultural and digital domains to ensure they provide credible, actionable knowledge. By deploying these modules on the open-access Shikshya.org platform and disseminating them through a network of project Fellows, the project will ensure widespread reach and inclusive access, particularly for women and marginalized groups in 3 provinces (Karnali, Sudurpaschim and Koshi).

Shikshya.org (https://shikshya.org/) is an e-learning portal developed by YI-Lab that provides high-quality educational resources to students, educators, and lifelong learners. The portal includes low-bandwidth video streaming, interactive courses and quizzes, and a discussion forum.

Objectives

The primary objective of this assignment is to develop and integrate two comprehensive, self-paced online training courses on the Shikshya.org platform:

1. Course A: Digital Tools for Small Businesses, Online Marketing, and Communication

2. Course B: AI for Climate and Agri-Tech Innovation

The courses will be designed as modular, interactive learning experiences for youth entrepreneurs, smallholder farmers, women-led businesses, new business ideas, and MSME owners, enabling them to acquire practical skills and earn certification, thereby strengthening the agri-entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nepal.

Scope of Work

The consulting firm will develop comprehensive course content, including module outlines, lesson/lecture scripts, case studies, and assessments, based but not only limited on the following major themes:

Course A: Digital Tools for Small Businesses

This course equips small businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and cooperatives with essential digital skills to improve productivity, visibility, and operational efficiency. It focuses on practical digital tools, online marketing, and data-driven business management, enabling participants to confidently participate in Nepal’s growing digital economy.

Module 1: Digital Literacy: Essential tools, productivity software, digital payments, and cyber security.

This module introduces participants with essential digital tools, productivity software and creating brand identity needed for modern business operations. It also covers digital payment systems and basic cybersecurity practices to ensure safe and efficient online transactions.

Module 2: Online Marketing: Brand identity, social media strategy, and content creation.

This module helps participants develop a strong online presence by understanding brand identity, designing effective social media strategies, and creating compelling digital content. It prepares entrepreneurs to engage customers and promote their products effectively across digital platforms.

Module 3: Business Growth: E-commerce, analytics, and professional online communication.

This module focuses on expanding business reach through e-commerce platforms, using analytics for decision-making, and practicing professional online communication. Participants learn strategies to scale their operations and strengthen customer trust in digital marketplaces.

Course B: AI for Climate and Agri-Tech Innovation

This course introduces participants to the transformative potential of AI in agriculture and climate-smart business operations. It provides practical knowledge, hands-on skills, and real-world use cases to help SMEs adopt AI for productivity, resilience, and market expansion.

Module 1: Foundations of AI for Climate-Smart SMEs

This module provides a practical introduction to AI concepts and their relevance to agriculture, climate adaptation, and SME operations. Participants learn how AI technologies can support decision-making and drive innovation.

Module 2: Climate & Agriculture Use Cases of AI

This module showcases real-world examples of how AI is solving challenges across agricultural and climate value chains. Participants gain insights into AI-driven applications for crop management, climate forecasting, and resource optimization.

Module 3: AI Tools for Business Operations

This module equips participants with hands-on experience using accessible AI tools for routine business tasks. It focuses on improving efficiency in areas such as inventory management, communication, and financial planning.

Module 4: AI for Business Growth & Market Access

This module explores how AI can support SME growth by enhancing market intelligence, optimizing pricing, and improving customer engagement. Participants learn to use AI-driven insights to expand market reach and improve competitiveness.

Module 5: AI for Climate Risk Management & Adaptation

This module helps participants apply AI tools to assess climate risks and make informed adaptation decisions. It strengthens business resilience by enabling data-driven planning for long-term climate challenges.

5. Course Development Framework

The selected consulting firm will develop course content according to the following structured framework:
Content Structure Requirements:
• Modular format with clear learning objectives and outcomes
• 750-1000 words per lecture (approximately 5 lectures per module) along with the use of infographics and illustrations
• Integration of real-world case studies from Nepali context
• Group activities and practical assessments
• Reference materials in APA format
Quality Standards:
• Original, plagiarism-free content
• Gender-sensitive/transformative and inclusive approach
• Accessible language for diverse learners
• Copyright-compliant materials
• Readiness for adaptation into 5+ hours of video content
Technical Specifications:
• Content structured for easy visualization
• Logical flow suitable for multimedia adaptation
• Compatibility with Shikshya.org platform requirements
(Note: Detailed formatting guidelines and complete course specifications will be provided to shortlisted firms.)

Key Deliverables

Eligible consulting firms are requested to submit their Technical and Financial Proposals, including:

1. Inception Report with a finalized work plan, methodology, and timeline for the content development process.

2. Detailed Course Outlines and Structures for both Course A and/or Course B, approved by the YI-Lab project team.

3. Complete Module Content for each course, including all lesson scripts, case studies, and practical examples.

4. A complete set of Assessments and Quizzes for each module, including answer keys and marking schemes.

5. Final Report summarizing the development process and recommendations for course facilitation.

Application Process

Eligible consulting firms are requested to submit their Technical and Financial Proposals, including:

1. A technical proposal (maximum 5 pages) including

• Background

• Objective

• Methodology for content development

• Deliverables and Outputs

• Work Plan and Timeframe

• Team Composition

• Organizational Profile and Portfolio of Completed Projects

• CVs of core team members

• Quality assurance approach

2. A financial proposal (maximum of 2 pages): should include a detailed budget sheet with breakdowns for each of the courses along with per workday renumeration.

3. Copy of firm registration certificate and renewal documents and profile/experiences of the consultancy firm

4. VAT registration certificate

5. Latest Tax clearance certificate

(Interested organizations or consulting firms may apply for the development of both courses or for an individual course, depending on their expertise and capacity)

Please refer to the detailed ToR attached: ToR of E-learning Course Development

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without providing any reason.

To Application

Interested VAT registered consultants/firms are requested to submit the technical and financial proposal along with required documents to YI-Lab by 11:59 PM 14 December 2025. For queries, write to YI-Lab at info@youthinnovationlab.org. Find the detailed ToR here: ToR of E-learning Course Development

Apply Now!