RFP - Baseline Study for the AI-LEAP Programme: Hyderabad and Pune

Request for Proposal

Baseline Study for the AI-LEAP Programme: Hyderabad and Pune

RFP Reference No.: MEL/RFP/02-26-27

Issued: 01 November 2026

About MelJol

MelJol is a non-profit organization that started as a field action project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), initiated by Prof. Jeroo Billimoria and Prof. Lata Narayan under the able guidance of Prof. Armaity Desai. MelJol is committed to empowering children, youth, women and communities to build the knowledge, skills, confidence and agency needed to overcome intergenerational poverty and create better futures. MelJol’s operations span across 3 states namely Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana reaching children, youth, women and communities through programs like Aflatoun Integrated Life-skill education and employability program (AI-LEAP), Akshar Mitra, Young Leaders Programme, Nirmaan Initiative, GramArth and Integrated Child and Youth centric development Program (ICYCD). Its integrated approach combines life skills, financial literacy, 3E’s - Education, Employability, Entrepreneurship, digital literacy, sports for development and community engagement. Through participatory and activity-based methodologies, MelJol enables young people to translate learning into everyday action, strengthening their resilience, leadership, decision-making and capacity to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and the wider economy.

About AI-LEAP

The Aflatoun Integrated Life-skills Education and Livelihood Advancement Program (AI-LEAP) is a three-year, school-and-community initiative that builds life skills and financial capability among children and adolescents. The project envisions to build a learning and nurturing environment in schools and communities that produces holistic, well-rounded individuals equipped with 21st-century skills by strengthening school and community ecosystems by creating safe, inclusive and dignified spaces that promote quality education, digital inclusion, agency and sustainability. Programme objectives

• To equip children aged 10–15 with the knowledge, attitudes, skills and values to conserve and grow financial, natural and other resources.
• To enable children to make informed career decisions and develop actionable life plans.
• To sensitise parents and teachers to recognise and nurture each child's unique abilities.
• To foster financial literacy and empowerment within marginalised communities.

Activities and Methods These outcomes are delivered through a progressive life-skills and financial-education curriculum with unique and relevant learning resources and tools. Sports for Development and activity-based learning methods are built into the methodology. Student-led Aflatoun Clubs and Aflatoun Banks, run by elected Aflatoun Young Leaders (AYLs), give children hands-on practice in saving, record-keeping and leadership. Career guidance workshops, career fairs, soft-skills and cyber-safety sessions, and exposure visits to banks and government offices extend this learning. Teacher and headmaster training, parent engagement, Financial Literacy Walls and community bank fairs provide a very effective engagement platform for a wider ecosystem. Key Components of the study Stakeholder Themes to be mapped Children (10–15 years)

A. Financial literacy: savings, needs and wants, planning and spending, basic banking

B. Life skills

a. Learning to know: Financial concepts, child rights, environment, career awareness

b. Learning to do: Saving, budgeting, spending decisions, digital skills, problem-solving

c. Learning to live together: Teamwork, negotiation, communication, leadership in clubs and banks

d. Learning to be: Confidence, decision-making, life plans, personal agency

e. Learning to love: Empathy, kindness and respect for others, care for family and community, inclusion of all children, care for the environment

C. Rights and environment: awareness of child rights; care for water, energy and waste

D. Future readiness: digital readiness; awareness of 3 E’s Education and career options, Employability and Entrepreneurship mindset development.

Parents

A. Parenting and rights: awareness of child rights and adolescent needs; positive parenting

B. Involvement: participation in the child's school and learning

Teachers and Headmasters

A. Teaching practice: current methods and delivery of education

B. Capacity: training received; confidence in facilitating sessions

C. School environment: how safe, inclusive and supportive it is for children

Community and local stakeholders

A. Ecosystem support: help available from local institutions for children's learning

Criteria for Evaluation Evaluation criterion Minimum Expectation Weight Relevant experience A. At least 2 years of experience in baseline, midline, endline or evaluation studies. B. Comparable assignments completed. C. Experience in education, life skills, financial literacy or child and youth development is preferred. 25 Understanding and approach A. A clear understanding of AI-LEAP and B. A sound, practical approach to sampling, tools and fieldwork across Hyderabad and Pune. 30 Team and local capacity A. A named lead with relevant qualification. B. Minimum 2 years of experience, plus ability to field trained teams in both cities with Telugu, Marathi and Hindi fluency. C. Individual consultants must show how they will resource the fieldwork. 20 Cost and timelines A realistic budget and a work plan that fits the study timeline. 25 Total 100

Note:

A. Proposals scoring below 70 out of 100 will not be considered further. B. Cost and timelines carry 25 of the 100 points. Please propose a realistic budget and your own week-by-week schedule for completing the study at the earliest.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The study covers programme schools and communities in Hyderabad and Pune (Total 10 schools / communities).

Note:

A. Your proposal should explain your approach and how you will choose the sample, so that it fairly represents each stakeholder. MelJol will judge this under “Understanding and approach”. Step What the consultant / Firm will do Deliverable

1. Prepare tools

Create the survey and discussion tools in English, Hindi, Marathi and Telugu, and test them. MelJol will approve them before use. Final tools

2. Collect data

Visit the schools and communities and collect information using the methods proposed in the bid. Clean data, without names or personal details

3. Study the data

Compare results by city, gender and age, and set a starting value for each theme. Draft report

4. Finalise the report

Update the report using MelJol’s feedback. Final report with findings and recommendations for each city How to Submit A. Please send one email with two separate files to contact@meljol.org

B. Submit Latest By: 10th November 2026.

C. Subject of the email: RFP – AI-LEAP Baseline Study, Hyderabad and Pune – [Bidder name]

D. Attachments: Rename the attachments as following:

a. [Bidder name]_Technical Proposal (Max 10 Pages) i. Your approach, methodology, and stakeholder mapping ii. Your work plan, with a week-by-week schedule iii. Your team, with CVs iv. Examples of similar past work, with references b. [Bidder name]_Financial Proposal i. Your budget in INR, with taxes shown separately Share your queries latest by 5th November 2026 to contact@meljol.org

Organisation: MelJol

Listed on the SAMS-STC social-sector RFP board.