INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)-Documentary Video Production at Four MaYEA Program Intervention Woredas and Broadcasting

1. Background

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is an international scientific research institute, based in Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to improving the lives and livelihoods of people in Africa. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology has a country office in Addis Ababa, located in Gurd Shola. icipe’s mission is to improve the health and food security status of the people of the tropics through research and development of environmentally friendly tools and strategies. As part of its research and development efforts, icipe is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation, IIRR, ORDA Ethiopia and other consortium partners to implement the Mass Youth Employment in Apiculture (MaYEA) program, which aimed to transform Ethiopian apiculture by tripling the national honey and beeswax production by 2028, while creating wage and self-employment to over one million youths (80% young women and 10% people with disability) through skilling and access to finance.

As a result, it is important to showcase the success stories and best practices to demonstrate the lucrative opportunities within the apiculture industry, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to commercial or large-scale operations, highlighting their potential for growth and economic impact. Thus, icipe is looking for an experienced national broadcasting medium to develop an empathy-driven and motivational documentary film that inspires and mobilizes young people to observe apiculture as an attractive business and to explore the potential of apiculture sectors for job creation, societal and economic transformation, as well as maintaining environmental health.

The filming activity will be carried out in 4 MaYEA intervention districts located in Tello, and Kacha Bira of South Ethiopia region, Tahtay Maichew of Tigray, and Mekdela district of the Amhara region.

The film will be produced primarily in Amharic at the highest quality standards and high definition, and must be able to accommodate the inclusion of subtitles in English. The total running time of the documentary video will be 30 minutes. The broadcasting through its TV channel will be once per week for one month( four times within a month). The film director is expected to review all available MaYEA Program documents and report materials, audio and video, and earlier products to better understand the objectives and goals of the program and the icipe activities. The main sources of information for this documentary film are the youth partners engaged in beekeeping activities, beekeeping input supplier SMEs, honey aggregators and processors, bee flora and honeybee colony multipliers, marketing cooperatives and stakeholders such as federal, regional, zonal and district authorities, icipe’s and the Mastercard Foundation management, and other informative stakeholders in the areas.

2. Objective

• To showcase success stories and best practices from the MaYEA program, youth partners engaged in primary products (honey and beeswax production), honeybee flora propagation and colony multiplication to enhance the natural resource base for apiculture business
• To explore the diverse aspects of apiculture, including honey production, pollination services, and related value-added products.
• To highlight the economic significance of apiculture as a viable business venture, particularly for SMEs seeking growth opportunities.
• To inspire entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, financial service providers and stakeholders to recognize and invest in the potential of apiculture for economic development and environmental sustainability.
• Produce a high-quality documentary for TV, social media, training, and stakeholder forums and broadcast through media channels to ensure lasting outreach and impact.

 

3. Expected outputs

At the end of the partnership, the selected service provider is expected to deliver the following 2 outputs:

• Submit the final 30-minute master documentary video, image, footage, in an appropriate format for multiple media platforms (TV, web and other digital channels).
• Broadcast the documentary video on its TV channel once per week for a month (four times within one month).

Deliverables:

The service provider is expected to provide the following deliverables:

• Technical and financial proposal describing the procedures and methods of filming, and the financial plan
• A detailed preproduction, production, and post-production schedule for the filming process.
• A 30-minute documentary film or video on the success and impact stories of beekeepers, SMEs, honey aggregators and processors, bee flora and honeybee colony multipliers, marketing cooperatives and partners, concerned authorities, icipe’s, implementing partners, Mastercard Foundation management, and other informative stakeholders in these areas.
• The main language to be used as a communication medium throughout the film will be Amharic with English subtitles
• Broadcast documentary video on its TV channel once a week for one month(broadcast the documentary video four times within one month)
• A final ready product in broadcast HD standards and online formats.

 

4. Methodology

The service provider should handle all aspects of film production, including writing, filming, editing, voicing/narration and broadcasting through a TV channel. The following are the methodologies that the service provider is expected to employ.

 

4.1 Pre-production stage

• Write the story line of the documentation to be captured and submit to icipe
• Develop the documentary film’s script and storyboard to be used in the film, overall concept, and scenario.
• With the assistance of icipe, IIRR, ORDA Ethiopia and implementing partners identify the main characters/interviewees of the film.
• Prepare interview questions for all interviewee with assistance and approval of icipe and develop detailed work plans (filming schedules, locations, etc.) for the assigned task, including travel days.

 

4.2 Filming and Production Stage

• Produce standardized videos using high-quality video camera, high-quality sound recorders and lighting equipment.
• Record the necessary stories, learnings, interviews, and exposures with youth partners and other stakeholders as arranged by icipe.
• Documentary film/video producer must adhere to icipe’s safeguarding principles and policies. The character’s consent must be obtained and their privacy maintained or respected.
• Storytelling/develop a compelling narrative structure that captures the journey of apiculture entrepreneurs, and commercial farms from inception to success, while addressing key themes such as innovation, resilience, and community impact.

 

4.3 Postproduction and broadcasting

• Edit footage, incorporate visual elements, graphics, and sound design to enhance storytelling and overall production value.
• Present a draft documentary film to ICIPE-Ethiopia for comments about contents and include all appropriate feedback, icipe’s and Mastercard Foundation branding, credit of participants on the production, a note of gratitude and ownership for the produced videos.
• Develop and narrate an Amharic-language documentary film or video with English subtitles featuring all interviews and narrations
• Submit a 30-minute master documentary video, image footage, in an appropriate format for multiple media platforms (TV, web and other digital channels).
• Distribution and outreach: broadcasting documentary videos to reach wider audiences.

 

5. Timeframe

• The total project duration is 2 months.

Required experience of the service provider

The service provider will be required to have the following experience:

• Extensive experience in producing development-related documentary films for international organizations targeting both local and international audiences.
• Excellent technical capacities (state-of-the-art filming equipment, preferably High-Definition) to ensure smooth and high-quality production.
• Previous experience working with icipe and other international organisations, development actors, including donors, research & development institutions, civil society, government ministries, bureaus, and departments.