Development of Community-Based Tourism Business Models with Equitable Benefit Sharing under the GCF Knuckles Project in Sri Lanka

Reference number: 2504
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Consultancy
Duty station: Colombo, Kandy, Matale, and the target communities in the Knuckles region, Sri Lanka
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation Sri Lanka (MoALLI), along with the International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF), is implementing the project titled "Strengthening Climate Resilience for Subsistence Farmers and Agricultural Plantation Communities Residing in the Vulnerable River Basins, Watershed Areas and Downstream of the Knuckles Mountain Range Catchment of Sri Lanka." The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the primary donor of this project, with a total budget of USD 49 million over six years.

The Knuckles Mountain Range, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers exceptional potential for sustainable community-based tourism that generates income while supporting conservation objectives. The region's unique biodiversity, scenic landscapes, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge systems create distinctive tourism assets that can differentiate it from mainstream destinations.

Under GCF Knuckles Component 2.1.1, community-based tourism development represents an opportunity to create climate-resilient livelihoods while incentivizing ecosystem conservation. However, tourism development must be carefully managed to ensure equitable benefit distribution, environmental sustainability, and community ownership to avoid the common pitfalls of tourism that can lead to cultural disruption and environmental degradation.

Relevance of Tourism to the Project Throughout the Project Document, tourism is recognised as a crucial contributor to the project's objectives, including: • Economic benefits: The project anticipates generating substantial benefits annually through diversified tourism offerings • Value chain enhancement: Tourism is a critical horizontal extension, creating new markets for 'green' products and services • Ecosystem services monetisation: Tourism is a mode for monetising ecosystem gains, potentially contributing to PES mechanisms

Rationale for Integrating Tourism Integrating eco and nature-based tourism, including regenerative tourism concepts, can significantly enhance the project's impact: • Diversified livelihoods: Provides alternative income sources for local communities, reducing pressure on natural resources • Attract better quality tourism that aligns with conservation objectives • Incentive for conservation: Creates economic value for preserving ecosystems, supporting project goals • Value chain support: Offers new markets for sustainable agricultural and value-added green products • Awareness and education: Facilitates climate change and conservation education for visitors and locals • Sustainable financing: Potential to contribute to PES mechanisms and long-term project sustainability

Applicable Tourism Concepts • Considering the project's objectives, the following tourism concepts are most relevant: • Eco-tourism: Focus on responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment and improving local communities' well-being • Regenerative tourism: Goes beyond sustainability to actively restore and regenerate ecosystems and communities • Agri-tourism: Showcases climate-resilient farming practices and traditional agricultural knowledge • Cultural tourism: Highlights local heritage and traditional practices, supporting community pride and cultural preservation • Wellness tourism: Leverages the area's natural beauty and potential herbal/medicinal resources • Spiritual tourism: Leverages the sacred and spiritual significance of the Knuckles Mountain Range to attract visitors seeking spiritual experiences, meditation, and connection with nature

Integration Strategy To integrate tourism without dedicated budget lines, the following approaches are proposed: • Value chain integration: Create access for green products and services developed through the project to access market opportunities in the tourism sector (Output 2.1) • Green certification: Assess the globally accepted best practices and adapt to Sri Lankan context, including shortlisting the most suitable certification for the different tourism types mentioned above • PES mechanism: Integrate tourism-based contributions into the PES system development (Output 2.2) • Multi-stakeholder platforms: Include tourism stakeholders in established governance mechanisms (Output 3.1) • Information systems: Incorporate tourism-related data into the shared information system (Output 3.1) • Capacity building: Incorporate tourism-related skills training into existing capacity-building activities (Output 3.2)

Duties and responsibilities

1. Tourism Asset Assessment

Evaluate natural, cultural, spiritual, and adventure tourism potential while determining carrying capacity and environmental limits, including:

• Review existing national and regional tourism plans and roadmaps
• Identify local tourism stakeholders and relevant government agencies
• Conduct a rapid assessment of the region's carrying capacity, natural and cultural assets, traditional IP assets, current tourism services and activities, and infrastructure
• Identify potential synergies with ongoing GEF-7 regional tourism projects and other similar initiatives
  

2. Community-Based Model Development

Design tourism enterprises with community ownership, equitable benefit sharing, and sustainable management systems

3. Market Analysis and Product Development

Identify target visitor segments and develop unique experience packages that showcase local culture, unique ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity

4. Benefit Sharing Framework

Create transparent, equitable mechanisms for distributing tourism revenues across community members and conservation activities

5. Sustainable and Climate-Smart Tourism Roadmap and Strategy

Ensure that tourism development aligns with and reinforces climate adaptation and ecosystem conservation goals, rather than compromising them, including:

• Develop a targeted tourism strategy aligned with project objectives and regional potential in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism - Central Province
• Identify specific integration points within project activities, outputs, existing roadmaps, and plans for regional tourism development
• Design tourism-related indicators to be incorporated into the project's monitoring system
• Document and share best practices and lessons learned
  

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will develop community-based tourism business models that ensure community control, equitable benefit sharing, and environmental sustainability while creating authentic experiences for visitors that showcase the region's unique natural and cultural assets.

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DETAILED WORKING PACKAGES

POTENTIAL PARTNERS 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS  

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

EXPECTED INTEGRATION

SUCCESS CRITERIA  

Education, knowledge and experience

• Advanced degree in Tourism Management, Development Studies, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of experience in community-based tourism development
• Proven experience with benefit-sharing mechanisms and community enterprise development
• Strong knowledge of sustainable tourism principles and environmental management
• Experience working with indigenous and rural communities
• Understanding of conservation and development integration challenges

Terms and conditions

To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor.org and www.worldagroforestry.org CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged. CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 26 Sep 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.