UNESCO Request for Proposal 2026: Research on Youth, Nature and Sustainable Futures in India’s Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO has announced a Request for Proposal (RFP) for research on Youth, Nature and Sustainable Futures, inviting an institution or firm to conduct an ethnographic study examining the experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, opportunities, and contributions of Indigenous and local youth living in and around UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India.

The assignment is being undertaken under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and will cover two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India. The selected institution or firm will conduct field research to understand how young people interact with their natural environments, contribute to their communities, use and preserve local knowledge, and engage with opportunities for sustainable development.

The research is intended to inform a regional MAB initiative on Youth and Biosphere Reserves in South Asia. Its findings will also contribute to the development of MAB dossiers for new sites in the region.

Unlike an individual scholarship or internship, this opportunity is a formal procurement assignment for an institution or firm capable of undertaking the research. Interested organisations must submit separate technical and financial proposals in accordance with UNESCO’s instructions.

The proposal submission deadline is Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 11:55 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST). Proposals must be emailed to the designated UNESCO procurement address, with a copy to the specified recipient, and must comply with the prescribed email, file-format, and reference requirements.

Overview of the UNESCO Youth, Nature and Sustainable Futures Research RFP

The UNESCO research opportunity is designed to generate evidence about the lives and experiences of Indigenous and local youth in and around Biosphere Reserves in India. The selected institution or firm will undertake an ethnographic study that explores the relationship between young people, their natural environments, their communities, and their prospects for sustainable futures.

The specific solicitation document is identified as RFP A210454041 SCS Youth and Nature for Sustainable Futures. Applicants should obtain and carefully review the full solicitation document from the official UNESCO announcement before preparing their proposals.

1. About UNESCO and the Man and the Biosphere Programme

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works across education, science, culture, and related fields to support international cooperation and sustainable development.

The research assignment falls under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, commonly known as the MAB Programme. The programme connects scientific understanding of ecosystems with efforts to improve relationships between people and their environments.

Biosphere Reserves are important to this work because they provide settings in which biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, local knowledge, and community development can be considered together.

The UNESCO RFP recognises that young people living in and around these areas have experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, and contributions that can inform the future of conservation and sustainable development.

Understanding their perspectives can help decision-makers consider how environmental programmes respond to local realities, how young people participate in community life, and what opportunities are needed to support sustainable futures.

2. What Is the Research Assignment About?

The selected institution or firm will conduct an ethnographic study on Indigenous and local youth living in and around UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India.

Ethnographic research generally involves studying people’s experiences, practices, perspectives, and social contexts to understand how they make sense of their lives and surroundings. The specific methods for this assignment should be guided by the full UNESCO solicitation document.

The research must examine several connected areas.

A. Experiences of Indigenous and local youth

The study will explore the experiences of young people who live in and around the selected Biosphere Reserves.

These experiences may help illuminate how young people interact with their communities and natural environments, and how social, ecological, and livelihood conditions shape their daily lives.

The solicitation identifies youth experiences as a central research focus, but it does not specify in the supplied announcement a complete list of interview questions, participant numbers, or fieldwork methods. Those details should be confirmed in the full RFP.

B. Youth aspirations

The assignment will investigate the aspirations of Indigenous and local youth.

Understanding aspirations is important for identifying what young people hope to achieve, how they understand their futures, and what conditions may help or hinder their goals.

The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how youth perspectives can inform the implementation of the MAB Programme across South Asia.

C. Local knowledge systems

The study will examine youth knowledge systems in the selected research locations.

Local and Indigenous knowledge can form an important part of how communities understand their environments, use natural resources, and maintain relationships with the places where they live.

The research provides an opportunity to investigate how such knowledge is experienced, understood, and contributed to by younger generations. The precise analytical framework should be developed in line with the requirements of the solicitation.

D. Opportunities available to young people

The research will also investigate opportunities available to youth living in and around the selected Biosphere Reserves.

This focus is relevant to understanding how environmental conservation and sustainable development relate to the possibilities available to young people in their communities.

The study is expected to help identify pathways for incorporating human development dimensions into the MAB Programme, rather than considering conservation and ecological issues in isolation from people’s lives.

E. Youth contributions

The assignment will examine the contributions of Indigenous and local youth.

Young people can have perspectives and knowledge that are important to their communities and the environments in which they live. The research will seek to understand these contributions and identify ways in which youth perspectives can be reflected more meaningfully in programme implementation.

The final study should be shaped by the objectives and deliverables set out in UNESCO’s full solicitation document.

3. Research Location: Two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India

The assignment will cover two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India.

An important feature of the RFP is that UNESCO allows the proposing institution or firm to recommend the specific Biosphere Reserves to be studied. The selection should be based on the organisation’s existing access, networks, contextual knowledge, and the feasibility of undertaking field research.

This means applicants are expected to make a reasoned research-design decision rather than simply name two locations.

How should applicants select the Biosphere Reserves?

The proposal should provide a clear and substantive rationale for choosing each site. According to the announcement, this rationale should explain the relevance of the sites to the research objectives and account for the diversity of social, ecological, and livelihood contexts to be examined.

A strong site-selection rationale should therefore address the following considerations:

1. Relevance to the research questions: Explain why each reserve is appropriate for investigating youth experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, opportunities, and contributions.

2. Existing access and networks: Describe the organisation’s relevant relationships, networks, or practical access that could support the proposed fieldwork.

3. Contextual knowledge: Explain what the institution or firm understands about the proposed research settings and why that understanding is relevant to the assignment.

4. Research feasibility: Demonstrate that the proposed fieldwork can be carried out in the selected locations. Any assumptions about access, timing, or research arrangements should be addressed in the proposal.

5. Social and ecological diversity: Explain how the selected sites will help examine different social, ecological, and livelihood contexts, as requested by UNESCO.

The announcement does not name two mandatory Biosphere Reserves. The selection is left to the proposing organisation, provided that the proposal gives the required justification.

4. Why Is This Research Important?

The assignment has significance beyond the production of an individual research report. UNESCO states that the findings will directly inform a regional MAB initiative on Youth and Biosphere Reserves in South Asia and contribute to MAB dossier development for new sites in the region.

A. Strengthening youth participation in conservation

By examining youth perspectives and contributions, the research can help inform approaches to involving young people in the implementation of the MAB Programme.

The emphasis on youth experiences recognises the value of understanding how conservation initiatives relate to the people who live in and around Biosphere Reserves.

B. Connecting environmental protection with human development

The RFP explicitly seeks pathways for integrating youth perspectives and human development dimensions into programme implementation.

This focus creates a connection between ecological objectives and the social and livelihood realities of communities. The study is expected to help inform how these dimensions can be considered together in regional initiatives.

C. Recognising Indigenous and local knowledge

The research will explore knowledge systems among Indigenous and local youth. This can help inform a more context-sensitive understanding of how young people relate to their environments and how their perspectives may contribute to the programme.

The specific findings cannot be assumed in advance; they will need to emerge from the research.

D. Informing regional policy and programme development

The findings are intended to inform a regional initiative on Youth and Biosphere Reserves across South Asia.

The study will therefore contribute evidence that UNESCO can use when developing approaches to youth engagement within the MAB Programme.

E. Supporting the development of new Biosphere Reserve dossiers

UNESCO also states that the findings will inform MAB dossier development for new sites in South Asia.

This gives the assignment a practical institutional purpose: the research will provide information relevant to the development of future programme activities and new site dossiers.

5. Who Should Consider Submitting a Proposal?

The UNESCO announcement explicitly invites an institution or firm to undertake the study.

This is an organisational procurement opportunity rather than an open call for individual students or researchers to apply for a scholarship, internship, or personal research grant.

Organisations considering a proposal should assess whether they can deliver the study described in the solicitation and comply with UNESCO’s submission requirements.

Relevant considerations include:

• Capacity to design and undertake an ethnographic study.

• Ability to conduct field research in two proposed Biosphere Reserves in India.

• Access to appropriate local networks and contextual knowledge.

• Ability to justify the selection of the two sites.

• Capacity to investigate the social, ecological, and livelihood contexts relevant to the research objectives.

• Ability to prepare a technical proposal and a separate financial proposal.

• Capacity to comply with UNESCO’s submission instructions and the full solicitation document.

These are practical considerations arising from the assignment description, not a complete formal eligibility checklist. The supplied announcement does not specify mandatory minimum years of experience, a required organisational registration category, a minimum number of researchers, or a particular academic qualification. Applicants should consult the full RFP for all binding requirements.

Individual researchers may be able to contribute as part of an eligible institution’s or firm’s proposed team, but the announcement does not establish a separate application route for individuals.

6. How to Prepare the Technical Proposal

UNESCO requires a technical proposal and a financial proposal, which must be submitted in two separate emails.

The technical proposal should explain how the organisation intends to carry out the assignment. The complete requirements must be taken from the solicitation document, but the announcement makes several research-design considerations particularly important.

A. Demonstrate an understanding of the assignment

The proposal should clearly address the research focus: the experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, opportunities, and contributions of Indigenous and local youth living in and around UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

It should also explain how the proposed study will support the stated regional MAB objectives.

B. Justify the selection of two Biosphere Reserves

The proposal must provide a clear and substantive rationale for the selection of each site.

It should explain the relevance of both sites to the research objectives and how they offer opportunities to examine diverse social, ecological, and livelihood contexts.

C. Explain the proposed research approach

The assignment is described as an ethnographic study. The technical proposal should therefore follow the methodological requirements in the full RFP and explain the approach the organisation proposes to use.

Applicants should not assume that UNESCO has prescribed particular participant numbers, interview formats, or other detailed methods unless those requirements appear in the solicitation document.

D. Demonstrate access and feasibility

UNESCO specifically identifies existing access, networks, contextual knowledge, and fieldwork feasibility as considerations for site selection.

Applicants should explain how their proposed approach accounts for these factors and how they intend to carry out the study in the selected locations.

E. Explain how the findings will address the intended outcomes

The proposed research should remain connected to the stated purpose of informing a regional MAB initiative on Youth and Biosphere Reserves in South Asia and contributing to MAB dossier development for new sites.

The full RFP should be consulted for the required deliverables, reporting format, project duration, evaluation criteria, and other contractual conditions.

7. Financial Proposal and Budget Preparation

In addition to the technical proposal, UNESCO requires a separate financial proposal.

The financial proposal should follow the instructions and cost requirements set out in the official solicitation document. The announcement supplied here does not specify a maximum contract value, budget ceiling, payment schedule, or mandatory budget format.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that a particular funding amount is available. The proposed budget and financial terms must be prepared in accordance with the full RFP.

Before submitting, the organisation should ensure that the financial proposal is complete and that it is sent separately from the technical proposal, as required by UNESCO.

8. How to Submit a Proposal to UNESCO

The submission process has specific email, file-format, and reference requirements. Applicants should follow them carefully.

Step 1: Obtain and review the full RFP

Locate the solicitation document titled:

RFP A210454041 SCS Youth and Nature for Sustainable Futures

Read the complete document before preparing either proposal. The UNESCO announcement identifies the solicitation but the supplied text does not include a direct download URL for the document.

Start from the official UNESCO website and locate the announcement published on 12 October 2026.

Step 2: Prepare the technical and financial proposals

Prepare the two required components:

1. Technical proposal.

2. Financial proposal.

Each must be submitted in a separate email. The supplied announcement specifies PDF as the supported file format.

Step 3: Use the correct submission email addresses

Send the proposals to:

• Primary recipient: procurement.NDL@unesco.org

• Copy: aj.vaz@unesco.org

UNESCO explicitly warns that offers addressed to any other email accounts will be disqualified. Do not substitute the contact person’s email address for the designated procurement submission address.

Step 4: Use the required email heading

The email heading should indicate the RFP reference and the closing date and time.

Include the exact reference:

RFP A210454041 SCS Youth and Nature for Sustainable Futures

Also include the closing date and time specified in the announcement.

Step 5: Check the file size and format

The submission instructions specify:

• PDF as the supported file format.

• A maximum single-email size of 10 MB.

• Separate emails for the technical and financial proposals.

Check each email and its attachments before sending to ensure that the file format and size comply with the instructions.

Step 6: Acknowledge receipt and indicate your intention to submit

UNESCO requests recipients to acknowledge receipt of the solicitation and indicate whether they intend to submit a proposal.

For this purpose, and for requests for clarification, the announcement identifies the following contact:

Shraddha Chickerur National Programme Officer Sciences Unit UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia Email: s.chickerur@unesco.org

This contact is for acknowledgement and clarification. Formal proposals must still be sent to the designated procurement address with a copy to the specified recipient.

Learn More HERE

9. Application Deadline and Submission Requirements

The deadline stated in the UNESCO announcement is:

The deadline above is the date and time given in the supplied announcement. Organisations should ensure that both required submissions comply with the instructions and reach the designated recipients before the closing time.

10. Common Submission Mistakes to Avoid

Given UNESCO’s explicit procurement instructions, applicants should take care to avoid the following errors:

1. Sending the proposal to an incorrect email address. UNESCO states that offers sent to other email accounts will be disqualified.

2. Combining both proposals into one email. The technical and financial proposals must be sent in two separate emails.

3. Using an unsupported file format. The announcement specifies PDF.

4. Exceeding the email size limit. Each email must not exceed 10 MB.

5. Omitting the RFP reference. Include the specified reference and closing date and time in the email heading.

6. Failing to justify the research sites. The proposal must provide a substantive rationale for each of the two selected Biosphere Reserves.

7. Assuming that the announcement contains every requirement. Consult the complete solicitation document for the full technical, financial, contractual, and evaluation requirements.

8. Confusing the clarification contact with the procurement submission address. Use the designated procurement email for the formal proposal and the named contact for acknowledgement or clarification.

Click HERE to learn more about the UNESCO Request for Proposal 2026

11. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UNESCO Youth, Nature and Sustainable Futures opportunity?

It is a request for proposals for an institution or firm to conduct an ethnographic study of Indigenous and local youth living in and around UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India.

How many Biosphere Reserves will the research cover?

The assignment will cover two Biosphere Reserves in India. The proposing institution or firm may select the sites, provided it justifies the selection in relation to the research objectives and contextual diversity.

Who can submit a proposal?

The announcement invites an institution or firm. It does not describe an individual scholarship or internship application route.

What will the research investigate?

The study will examine youth experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, opportunities, and contributions, with a view to identifying pathways for integrating youth perspectives and human development dimensions into the MAB Programme across South Asia.

What will UNESCO use the findings for?

The findings will inform a regional MAB initiative on Youth and Biosphere Reserves in South Asia and contribute to MAB dossier development for new sites in the region.

What is the deadline?

Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 11:55 p.m. Indian Standard Time.

How should the proposal be submitted?

The technical and financial proposals must be sent in two separate emails to procurement.NDL@unesco.org, with a copy to aj.vaz@unesco.org. PDF is the supported file format, and each email must be no larger than 10 MB.

Is a funding amount or contract value specified?

The supplied announcement does not state a contract value, budget ceiling, or payment amount. Applicants should consult the full solicitation document for financial terms and proposal requirements.

Conclusion

The UNESCO Request for Proposal on Research on Youth, Nature and Sustainable Futures offers an institution or firm an opportunity to undertake research that will inform youth engagement and sustainable development within the Man and the Biosphere Programme.

By studying Indigenous and local youth in two Biosphere Reserves in India, the selected organisation will investigate experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, opportunities, and contributions that can help inform a regional initiative across South Asia. The research will also contribute to the development of MAB dossiers for new sites.

Organisations considering a submission should review the complete solicitation document, select and justify two suitable research locations, prepare separate technical and financial proposals, and comply with UNESCO’s email and file requirements.

Deadline: 22 October 2026 at 11:55 p.m. Indian Standard Time.

For acknowledgement or clarification, contact Shraddha Chickerur at s.chickerur@unesco.org. Formal proposals must be submitted to procurement.NDL@unesco.org, with a copy to aj.vaz@unesco.org.

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