Preparation of environmental and social instruments for the Suriname Productive and Resilient Agriculture Program

Description

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in coordination with the Government of Suriname, invites consulting firms to submit proposals to prepare the environmental and social instruments required for the Suriname Productive and Resilient Agriculture Program (SU-L1079), in compliance with the IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF) and Environmental and Social Performance Standards (ESPS 1–10).

1. Technical objectives & environmental assessment
Ecohydrological assessment: Conduct a comprehensive ecohydrological study in the Nanni Swamp watershed and Nickerie agricultural water management system, evaluating hydraulic infrastructure including the Nanni Weir, Maratakka Spillway, and 14 regulating structures.

Cumulative impacts & biodiversity: Assess cumulative ecological impacts, aquatic connectivity, environmental flows, invasive species risks, and ecosystem services, identifying modified, natural, and critical habitats (ESPS 6).

Climate mitigation & GHG accounting: Quantify greenhouse gas emissions (methane from rice cultivation and energy for water pumping) and evaluate low-emission practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD).

Disaster risk & resilience: Evaluate climate risks (flooding, drought, salinity intrusion) and perform a maladaptation screening to ensure resilient long-term infrastructure design.

2. Social framework & stakeholder engagement
Land acquisition & vulnerable groups: Conduct screening for land acquisition, physical/economic displacement (ESPS 5), and impacts on Indigenous or Tribal Peoples (ESPS 7), preparing Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) or Indigenous Peoples Plans (IPP) as triggered.

Environmental & social management: Formulate an Executing Agency ESMS and a project-level ESMP covering construction and operation, incorporating an Adaptive Water Management Framework and plans for dredging, OHS, traffic, and emergency response.

Stakeholder engagement: Implement targeted consultations and grievance mechanisms (ESPS 10) for farmers, Water Boards, local communities, and sector institutions.

3. Key tasks & deliverables
Inception & baseline: Establish direct, indirect, and cumulative areas of influence (using GIS mapping) and complete environmental, social, and hydrological baselines.

Operational regimes & flow assessments: Evaluate alternative water-level operating regimes and establish environmental flow requirements.

Final instruments: Deliver fully integrated, disclosure-ready ESA, ESMP, ESMS, and consultation reports in English.

Note: Interested consulting firms must review the requirements on the BEO Bidders Portal.