EOI - Selection of Consultant for Formation and Registration of a Women's Co-operative Society in Delhi

EOI - Selection of Consultant for Formation and Registration of a Women's Co-operative Society in Delhi

Organization: BharatCares

Apply By: 13 Nov 2026

Background

India's traditional craft sector sits at a rare intersection — centuries of inherited skill on one side, and a rapidly growing market for authentic, sustainable, handmade products on the other. Yet the bridge between the two remains fragile. Artisan communities, particularly women potters, possess deep technical knowledge and cultural heritage, but often lack access to contemporary design thinking, market-oriented product development, and institutional partnerships that can elevate their craft from subsistence to enterprise. Women of Kumhar Gram, Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, have preserved the traditional art of terracotta pottery for generations. Kumhar Gram is home to more than 800 families of Kumhar potters, making it a significant living craft ecosystem. Through the Empowering Women to Preserve Art (EWPA) initiative, BharatCares is working towards strengthening the livelihoods of women artisans by supporting skill development, enterprise development, mechanization, branding, market linkages and design-led product development. As part of this initiative, the organisation aims to facilitate the formation of a Women's Cooperative Society in Delhi bringing together women artisans engaged in pottery-making and related activities. The proposed cooperative will serve as a collective platform for women artisans to undertake activities related to the production, selling, marketing and distribution of handmade pottery products, including terracotta, ceramic and other pottery items. The initiative aims to strengthen collective entrepreneurship, create market linkages, expand business opportunities and enhance the economic sustainability of women artisans. In this regard, Bharatcares invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from experienced consultants, legal professionals and agencies with expertise in cooperative society formation, registration, legal documentation and statutory compliance.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective is to engage an experienced consultant who can provide end-to-end technical, legal and documentation support for the formation and registration of a Women's Cooperative Society in Delhi in accordance with the Delhi Cooperative Societies Act, 2003 and Delhi Cooperative Societies Rules, 2007.

3. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be responsible for providing support in the following areas: A. Preliminary Assessment and Legal Guidance - Assess the proposed cooperative's objectives, activities and operational model. - Recommend the appropriate category and legal structure for the proposed Women's Pottery Cooperative Society. - Provide guidance on the eligibility criteria and minimum membership requirements. - Advise on promoter membership, share capital requirements and area of operation. - Explain the legal provisions and regulatory requirements applicable to cooperative society formation in Delhi. B. Formation and Documentation - Guide the organisation in initiating the cooperative formation process. - Assist in conducting the promoter members' meeting and selection of the Chief Promoter. - Provide support in the name reservation process with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. - Prepare and draft the proposed bye-laws of the cooperative society. - Assist in preparing the list of promoter members, membership declarations, affidavits and other required documents. - Prepare the necessary resolutions, including the appointment of the Chief Promoter. - Guide the organisation in arranging the required share capital and supporting bank documentation. - Assist in preparing the office address proof and other supporting documents. C. Registration and Application Process - Prepare the registration application in the prescribed Form I. - Assist in preparing Form II (Membership Declaration) and Form V (Bye-laws Submission), as applicable. - Ensure the preparation and submission of the required copies of the proposed bye-laws and supporting documents. - Submit the complete registration application to the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Delhi. - Coordinate with the concerned authorities throughout the registration process. - Address any observations, deficiencies or queries raised by the Registrar. - Support the organisation in rectifying and resubmitting documents within the prescribed timelines. - Facilitate the registration process until the registration certificate is issued. D. Post-Registration Support and Compliance - Provide guidance on obtaining PAN and opening a bank account in the cooperative society's name. - Assist in understanding the process for conducting the first General Body Meeting. - Guide the members in establishing the managing committee and governance structure. - Provide guidance on maintaining statutory registers, financial records and accounts. - Explain the requirements related to annual returns, audits and other statutory compliances. - Support the organisation in understanding the rights, duties and responsibilities of cooperative members.

4. Expected Deliverables

The selected consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables: - Detailed note on the appropriate legal structure and registration requirements. - Registration roadmap and comprehensive documentation checklist. - Guidance on promoter member identification and formation procedures. - Name reservation application support. - Drafting and finalisation of cooperative society bye-laws. - Preparation of all prescribed registration forms and supporting documents. - Complete registration application and submission support. - Coordination with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Delhi. - Registration certificate and approved bye-laws, subject to approval by the competent authority.

10. Post-registration compliance guidance and documentation handover

5. Eligibility and Qualification Criteria

Interested consultants/agencies should fulfil the following criteria: - Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in cooperative society formation, registration and legal documentation. - Demonstrated experience in working with the Registrar of Cooperative Societies or relevant government authorities. - Strong understanding of the Delhi Cooperative Societies Act, 2003 and Delhi Cooperative Societies Rules, 2007. - Experience in drafting cooperative society bye-laws and preparing statutory registration documents. - Knowledge of cooperative governance, membership structures, share capital and statutory compliance. - Experience working with women's collectives, artisan groups, pottery clusters, SHGs or livelihood-based enterprises will be preferred.

6. Duration of Assignment

The assignment duration and activity-wise timeline will be finalised in consultation with the selected consultant. The consultant is expected to provide a detailed timeline covering the preliminary assessment, documentation, application submission, registration follow-up and post-registration guidance.

7. Submission Requirements

Interested consultants/agencies are requested to submit the following documents: - Consultant/Agency Profile. - Details of relevant experience and similar assignments undertaken. - Copies of relevant work orders or experience certificates, wherever available. - Proposed approach and methodology for completing the assignment. - Activity-wise implementation timeline. - Financial proposal, including professional fees and applicable taxes. - Details of the proposed team members and their qualifications.

8. Evaluation Criteria

The proposals will be evaluated based on the following parameters: - Relevant experience in cooperative society formation and registration. - Knowledge of applicable legal and regulatory frameworks in Delhi. - Experience in drafting bye-laws and statutory documentation. - Understanding of cooperative governance and operational structures. - Proposed methodology and timeline. - R