Expression of Interest - “Program Partners for Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Pakistan”

EOI #: 2026-7-PR-PP

Location:Pakistan

Start date:01 04 2027

End date:01 03 2028

Technical Team: Programmes & Countries, Pakistan

All applications must be submitted via email to [email protected]

You may submit questions to [email protected]ONLY with the subject header: “EOI – Program Partners for Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Pakistan –EOI # 2026-7-PR-PP” until 27 July 2026, noting that the final submission deadline for applications is 31 July 2026.

Questions, requests and applications sent after the deadline will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Description

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme. Our mission: to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. In difficult times, we are meeting the challenge head on. Through our network of field-level partners we have provided training on more sustainable farming practices to more than 2.9 million cotton farmers in 26 countries. More than a fifth of the world’s cotton is now grown under the BCI Standard and our membership network includes more than 2,400 members. 

Better Cotton Initiative, Pakistan (BCI Pakistan) is registered in Pakistan and working under a collaboration/service agreement with Better Cotton, Global.

More information about BCI can be found on our website: www.bettercotton.org

Background

The objective of this invitation is to identify capable and committed organizations that can implement the Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS) and contribute to delivering impact in Pakistan. Selected partners will support cotton farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, improve livelihoods, and promote decent work principles.

Scope of Work

BCI is currently working in Pakistan with nine programme partners and more than 320,000 cotton farmers in Punjab and Sindh provinces.

BCI coordinates a capacity strengthening programme, delivered through BCI staff and experienced field-level partners, referred to as Programme Partners. This programme aims to help farming communities adopt practices consistent with our Standard - the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria, and adjust to their local context. BCI does not train farmers directly but shares training and resources through its network of Programme Partners, who are crucial for the success of the initiative at field level. The activities that partners are involved in vary from training of farmers, undergoing third-party certification for BCI certification, as well as completing thematic area-based activities such as those on livelihoods, women empowerment, crop protection, climate change and soil quality among others. The thematic activities are based on BCI’s 2030 strategy and impact targets which revolve around climate change mitigation, soil health, pesticides, women’s empowerment and smallholder livelihoods.

Programme Partners are primarily responsible for:

• Implementing Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS) at the field level.

• Training farmers, workers, and communities on the BCI Principles & Criteria.

• Collecting and reporting data related to implementation of the standard as well as environmental, social, and economic performance.

• Engaging with stakeholders including ginners, local authorities, and community groups to enhance implementation and livelihoods of BCI farmers and workers.

• Contributing to continuous improvement and innovation in programme delivery.

Programme Delivery – Cascading Model

BCI capacitates local programme partners and farmers on the Better Cotton Standard System (BCSS) through a cascading model that operationalizes knowledge sharing and drives practice adoption at farm level. BCI uses the cascading model to train field staff, farmers and workers on BCSS. BCI trains thematic experts from programme partners on the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria, as well as the overall BCSS. These thematic experts then train Producer Unit Managers and Field Facilitators, who are part of the programme partner’s field team. The training is further cascaded down to farmers and workers at the Producer Unit (PU) and Learning Groups (LG) level.

Farm level setup: A cluster of 2500-3500 farmers are combined to form a Producer Unit (PU) which is supervised by a PU Manager who oversees farmer and worker trainings, ensures completion of compliance documentation, and monitors data collection and overall performance. Producer Units are divided into Learning Groups (LG): approximately total of 100 Learning Groups collectively form a Producer Unit (PU) with each group consisting of 25-35 smallholder farmers, Each LG serves as the operational unit responsible for implementing BCSS and achieving BCI certification. Farmer level training is provided by Field Facilitators (FF) or extension workers who are usually responsible for supporting 10 LGs by providing training to farmers and workers, collecting data, and ensuring compliance with BCSS requirements.

Partner Engagement

Partner engagement and monitoring takes place primarily through virtual/online meetings with relevant program partner staff on a recurring basis with quarterly in-person visits to the project areas. Funded partners are also issued Program Improvement Plan (PIP) annually on the basis of improvement areas identified during previous seasons and progress against these PIPs is part of the performance monitoring process. In addition, partners also undertake corrective actions as an outcome of the certification cycle, changes based on due diligence assessments and any other improvement areas identified by BCI country or global teams. Finally, partner performance is also based on other areas like MEL data quality and efficiency, effectiveness of their cascading model, farmer knowledge and practice adoption, etc. 

More information on this can be found in our Theory of Change,Assurance Manual and on our Capacity Building info page. 

Funding Mechanisms

The funding options for partners vary depending on the type of organization with all partners following one of the following models:

• Self-funded programme implementation by programme partner and/or commercial cotton value chain actors or government entities/organizations

• Partial match funding between programme partner and a commercial entity (ginners, cotton textile industries, international brands, etc.)

• Partial match funding by BCI and programme partner in certain geographies through BCI’s Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF) and partner’s contribution – the level of funding GIF supports can vary between 20-70% based on nature of collaboration, resource availability, etc. 

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be legally registered as a non-profit, NGO, cooperative, or other eligible entity in Pakistan.

• Have at least 5 years of experience in implementing projects with local communities on agricultural development, sustainable farming, livelihood enhancement or any other relevant area. 

• Demonstrated capacity to deliver field-level training and monitoring in rural settings.

• Have relevant staff members with experience in multiple thematic areas, capacity building, research and MEL, etc.

• Have established systems, infrastructure and policies related to governance, ethics, HR, operational infrastructure, and financial management systems.

• A proven track record in gender mainstreaming, climate-smart agriculture, or worker welfare is an asset.

• Experience of working with local and international donors.

High-level Timeline

Application Requirements 

Interested organizations have to send a filled version of the attached application form and submit the relevant mentioned documents before the deadline:

• Filled application form as shared with the EOI

• A clear description of the project team members with details of their relevant experience and their CVs

• Any other documents mentioned in application form

Better Cotton will give preference to applications based on:

• Alignment with BCI’s strategic priorities.

• Technical and operational capacity.

• Geographic relevance to target cotton-growing regions.

• Commitment to sustainability, gender equity, and decent work

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

BCI is committed to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human and financial resources. All applications will be reviewed under the principles and subject to BCI’s policies on equal opportunity, non-discrimination, anti-bribery & corruption and conflict of interest.