Request for Proposals- Needs and drivers of first mile traceability for supply chain actors

Request for Proposals- Needs and drivers of first mile traceability for supply chain actors

Applications Deadline: 20th December 2024

Location: Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana

Start Date: 27 January 2025

End Date: 30 April 2025

Description

Better Cotton 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 Better Cotton Standard and our membership network includes more than 2,400 members.

Background

We are seeking proposals from skilled individuals or organisations interested in identifying needs and drivers for implementing first mile traceability by conducting workshops and focus groups with supply chain actors in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana.

As a part of Better Cotton's 2030 strategy, in 2021 a dedicated team was set up to develop a traceability solution for Better Cotton. The traceability system was successfully launched at the end of 2023 and it is now possible to trace Better Cotton back to its country of origin. But this is just the beginning. In addition to scaling adoption of traceability, we will continue to introduce new functionality and engage field actors to achieve our ultimate goal of traceability back to farm level and connecting traceable products to impact.

Advancements in traceability technologies and adoption is an opportunity to improve raw material traceability in the first mile. The first mile refers to the way in which Better Cotton is segregated, traded, transported and traced from the farm to the gin. First mile traceability is most complex in smallholder farmer contexts given the role of informal economic actors, aggregators, transportation, and markets. The increased availability and accessibility of technology in the field means the time is right to rethink our first mile controls. With the right design, improving how cotton is tracked forward in the field (and traced back) will also enable us to deliver greater value and benefits to those involved

Better Cotton 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 Better Cotton's policies on equal opportunity, non-discrimination, anti-bribery & corruption and conflict of interest.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Better Cotton 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 Better Cotton's policies on equal opportunity, non-discrimination, anti-bribery & corruption and conflict of interest.