TERMS OF REFERENCE – DESIGN STUDY INDIGENOUS WATER ALLYSHIP

The One Drop Foundation is an international philanthropic organization created by Cirque du Soleil and Lune Rouge founder Guy Laliberté in 2007 with the vision of a better world, where all have access to living conditions that allow empowerment and development. We unite people and empower communities to solve the water and climate crisis through innovative, sustainable actions.

Committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and fostering reconciliation with Indigenous communities, One Drop has developed the Indigenous Water Allyship (IWA) initiative, as a long-term Program (2023-2030), to contribute towards the wellbeing of at least 50 of Indigenous communities (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) in Canada by safeguarding the sustainable access to safe drinking water, source water protection and empowering community-led water management and governance. Recognizing water as the lifeblood connecting all forms of life, this initiative strengthens relationships with Indigenous rights and title holders and co-designs programs that deepen understanding and address waterrelated issues and nature-based solutions.

This first phase was co-implemented by an Indigenous-led partner, the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), and was completed by the end of 2024. From coast to coast to coast, the first phase engaged Indigenous youth, supported by local community-based organizations, in the creation of nine impactful social art projects that reached 20 communities with artistic participatory approaches to shed new light and perspectives on water-related issues and inequalities in Indigenous communities of Canada.

This first phase has enabled One Drop to build relationships with the youth and their community supporting organizations, and gain insights into the social and environmental issues of water, in their respective communities/nations. From this phase we have built on lessons learned and knowledge-share to develop and design the second phase of this program and amplify the impact by working more holistically with Indigenous communities towards system strengthening of water source protection and access to water services.

The preparation of this next phase of the IWA Program starts with a design study that will build on the learnings of the first phase, deepening the understanding of water related issues in selected regions and communities through a systemic lens to achieve sustainability. In this effort, the One Drop Foundation is seeking a qualified consulting firm to lead and carry out this design study.

In 2025, One Drop is focusing and articulating its efforts on the development of the second phase of the IWA program, which will amplify its impact by working more holistically with Indigenous communities towards system strengthening of water sources and access – improving the conditions of living in First Nations, Métis and Inuit regarding the enjoyment of their rights to water, sanitation, and health.

The added value for the development of this second phase is that it will be inspired by One Drop’s A•B•C for Sustainability model, its Social Art for Behaviour Change approach (SABC), and its Co-creation process, which involves ownership from communities and participation from stakeholders (OCAP Principles guidance) that in the experience of the One Drop Foundation have contributed to play an important role in the design and implementation of highly impactful and sustainable projects over the years.

Background of Project

Despite being one of the world’s most water-rich countries, many Indigenous communities in Canada face disproportionate challenges with water access. Recurring drinking water advisories expose these communities to contaminants, leading to waterborne illnesses and long-term health impacts.

For over 17 years, the One Drop Foundation has worked to ensure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation globally. Committed to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the Foundation is now expanding its efforts to improve water access in Canada.

Through the power of collaborations on water and social art, the IWA Program will promote resilience among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in addressing water and climate issues. It will co-create with local representatives to identify key concerns, including water protection, contamination, governance, and local capacities, with the goal of co-building sustainable solutions as allies.

Purpose of the design study

This study aims to conduct three region-specific diagnostic assessments partnership with First Nations communities and key system actors. These assessments will shape the design and implementation of the program.

By integrating the ABC for Sustainability model of the One Drop Foundation, this study will generate critical insights into the unique challenges, needs, and opportunities within each partnered First Nation. This collaborative process ensures that the IWA Program is implemented in a way that aligns with local contexts, empowering communities to drive sustainable solutions for water, sanitation, and health.

As part of the planning process, the diagnostic assessments, logic framework, and implementation plan will shape the community-driven Co-Creation workshop. They will also guide the next phases of the IWA Program and its possible expansion to more communities. This systemic and participatory approach places both people and nature at the heart of the interventions, ensuring long-term impact. By integrating community learnings, strengthening networks, and leveraging diverse financing sources, the initiative seeks to scale successful models and enhance Indigenous peoples’ rights to safe water, sanitation, and health across Canada.

Use of the design study

The knowledge generated out of this design study will have various uses into the design stage of the program, feeding into the review of concept notes, community co-design workshop, a project implementation plan, and other key documents leading up to and guiding the implementation of the IWA program until 2030. Along with this, the data collected will be validated with the community.

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How to Apply:

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

• An expression of interest by March 30th, 2025.
• Q&A Period where the applicants may submit its questions to One Drop Foundation from April 1 st to April 8 th, 2025. One Drop will provide responses by April 10th, 2025.
• Detailed technical proposal by March 30th, 2025. It should clearly demonstrate a thorough understanding of this ToR and including the following:
  • Description of the Capacity and qualifications of the consulting firm, including previous relevant experience.
  • Description of the proposed approach and methodology, including data collection, sampling strategy, data analysis, integration of gender considerations and ethical standards, quality assurance, etc.
  • A proposed timeframe detailing key activities and a schedule/work plan (including a Gantt chart)
  • Team composition, qualifications, and level of effort of each proposed team member
  • Curriculum Vitae(s) of all proposed staff outlining relevant experience (Annex)
  • Names and contact information of three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience
  • A copy of a previous reports of similar work undertaken
  • A Consulting Firm profile.

• A financial proposal by March 30th, 2025. It should clearly demonstrate a thorough understanding of this ToR and with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study:
  • Itemized consultancy fees/costs
  • Itemized field data collection expenses
  • Itemized administrative expenses
  • Validity period of quotations
  • Expected payment plan and method if the proposed one in Section 7 is not adequate for the candidate firm.
• All the documents will have to be submitted electronically to the key point of contact at the One Drop Foundation ([email protected]). The object of the email should contain “Application – IWA Design Study”.
• In case of doubts and need for questions to be answered towards the preparation of the submission package, a representative of the firm is always welcome to liaise with the key point of contact at reasonable time prior to the expected deadline.

As soon as the period for receiving technical and financial proposals closes, applications will be processed as follows:

• Depending on the volume of applications, technical and financial proposals received will be processed within one to three weeks after the deadline for submission of applications.
• Only a maximum of three candidate firms, pre-selected based on the quality of their technical and financial proposals as well as the anticipated success rate, will be contacted to take part in a selection interview.
• Selection interviews with the shortlisted firms will be held within one week of the completion of the analysis of the technical and financial proposals submitted. The date and time for a selection interview will be established at a common convenience with each pre-selected candidate firm.
• The shortlisted firms will be informed of the results of the interview within three days of the end of the selection interview period.
• The firm selected at the end of the selection interviews will receive the contract to be revised and signed jointly with a representative of One Drop.

Learn more here!