Call for EOI: Preparation of a Factsheet on COVID-19 Recovery Loans and Climate Crisis in Bangladesh


Saturday, 6 February 2021:
The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is seeking qualified researcher among its members and well-wishers to develop a Factsheet on COVID-19 Recovery Loans and Climate Crisis in Bangladesh. The Terms of Reference of the job are as follows: 

Background 

The economy of Bangladesh is seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic. It is also one of the MVCs due to adverse impacts of climate crisis with only 573 KGs of per capita emission. Bangladesh is also playing the role of Chair in Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) now. The energy demand, especially the electricity, had come down to around 50% during the pandemic which contributed to reduce overall emission. On the other hand, allocation of money for fossil fuel based new power plants is supposed to add more emission especially in the coastal zone which is well recognized as global hotspot of climate crisis.

To meet the COVID-19 economic crisis, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) estimated a total requirement of USD 25,835 million including USD 8,810 million as additional financing. So far, the government has taken USD 4,415.80 million (BDT 36,651 crore) from different bilateral and multilateral sources. The loan amounts are as follows:
  1. COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project: World Bank: USD 100.00 million
  2. COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness Project: AIIB: USD 100.00 million
  3. COVID-19 Response Emergency Assistance Project: ADB: USD 100.00 million
  4. COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program: ADB: USD 501.00 million
  5. COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support (CARES) Program: AIIB: USD 250.00 million
  6. COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance: IMF: USD 732.00
  7. COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan: JICA: USD 329.00 million
  8. COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (APDRF) ADB-Japan: USD 3.00 million
  9. COVID 19 School Sector Response (GPE): World Bank: USD 14.80 million
  10. COVID-19 Response Emergency Assistance Project: ADB: USD 1.00 million
  11. COVID-19 Emergency and Crisis Response Facility: AIIB: USD 300.00
  12. Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship (PRIDE) Project: World Bank: USD 500.00 million
  13. Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project: World Bank: USD 295.00 million
  14. Second Programmatic Jobs Development Policy Credit: World Bank: USD 250.00 million
  15. Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX): ADB: USD 940.00 million

Among the total loan, USD 2,862 million (BDT 23,754 crore) has been allocated as supplement to the national budget directly in respective sector. A good amount of money has allocated for the private power producers a capacity charge from the budget. Another part of the budget has allocated for new power plants, including coal-based ones. Besides economic burden, these investments has significant impacts on climate crisis including additional carbon emission and risks on the vulnerable people.

Considering the situation, Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) has taken an initiative to develop a Factsheet on the COVID-19 Recovery Loans and Impacts on the Climate Crisis for sensitizing policymakers and financiers through campaign and advocacy targeting IFIs and their guiding principles.

Broader Objective

Ensuring climate-responsive expenditure of COVID-19 Recovery Loans provided by International Financial Institutes (IFIs) considering impacts of climate crisis of Bangladesh. 

Specific Objectives

  1. Analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on climate change, particularly on energy sector.
  2. Unwrapping the allocation of amount for the Private Power Producers and new energy projects from COVID-19 recovery loans
  3. Create an opportunity of evidence based advocacy on COVID-19 loans and its impact on the climate crisis.

Deliverables

  1. A Factsheet on IFI financed COVID-19 Recovery Loans and its impact on climate crisis in Bangladesh (maximum 5,000 words).
  2. Participation and presentation in national and international meetings and dialogues on COVID-19 and Climate Crisis.

Study Timeline

13 Days (within 10 March - 19 April 2021)
  • Factsheet: 10 Days (10 Mar - 19 Apr 2021)
              Submission of the first draft: 30 Mar 2021
             Submission of final report: 15 Apr 2021
  • Dissemination: 3 Days: Participation and presentation in national and international meetings and dialogues

Budget

The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) will contribute a consolidated amount of BDT 25,000.00 (Bangladesh Taka Twenty Five thousand only) for the job.

Expression of Interest

BWGED Members/allies are requested to submit their Expression of Interest which includes:
  1. Background of the Concept
  2. 2. Process and Methodology for developing the Factsheet (Secondary Data Collection, Data Analysis, Key Informant Interview, Focus Group Discussion etc.)
  3. Action Plan
  4. Necessary Inputs
  5. Curriculum Vitae of the Lead Researcher

Interested members & allies of BWGED are requested to send their Expression of Interest (EOI) with a maximum two-page Concept Note and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Lead Researcher to info@cleanbd.org by 1 March 2021, Monday.