Interested agencies should submit the following documents on juhi.kumari@wri.org by 26th February 2025
Design and Facilitation of WRI India Staff Retreat (600 Participants)
1. Introduction
India Resources Trust (WRI India) invites proposals from experienced consulting and facilitation partners to design and support the planning of a multi-day staff retreat for approximately 600 employees .
The retreat marks a significant milestone of 15 years of WRI India and is intended to be a strategic institutional intervention focused on reflection, alignment, and future readiness.
2. About WRI India
WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data and expertise to catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our work focuses on improving people’s lives, protecting and restoring nature, and addressing climate change. To enable progress at the pace and scale needed, we also engage with the economic, finance and governance systems that are key to enabling this change.
As the organization enters its next phase of growth and impact, there is a need to strengthen shared identity, institutional coherence, leadership alignment, and organizational culture.
3. Purpose and Objectives of the Retreat
The primary objectives of the retreat are to:
- Reflect on 15 years of WRI India’s journey , including institutional history, milestones, and learnings.
- Build a common organizational identity and narrative that:
- Positions WRI India as a thought leader and systems orchestrator
- Creates a cohesive overarching narrative alongside stakeholder-specific narratives
- Strengthens institutional credibility, fundraising capability, and ecosystem-building efforts
- Foster a future-thinking mindset , with emphasis on agility, adaptability, and effective execution in complex environments.
- Strengthen people and culture , including shared values, leadership behaviors, ways of working, and collaboration norms required for the next phase of growth.
4. Scope of Work
The selected consultant will be responsible for the conceptualization, design, and facilitation planning of the retreat. The scope includes:
- Developing the overall retreat architecture and thematic flow
- Designing day-wise agendas aligned to objectives and participant cohorts
- Proposing appropriate facilitation formats , including plenaries, breakouts, dialogues, and experiential sessions
- Ensuring differentiation of content and depth for different staff cohorts while maintaining a cohesive institutional narrative
- Advising on leadership roles and participation within the retreat
- Supporting alignment between leadership messaging and staff experience
Note: Logistical arrangements (venue, travel, accommodation, catering) will be managed separately by WRI India and are not part of this scope.
5. Participant Profile and Structure
Total participants: ~600 staff
Participants are organized into the following cohorts:
- India Executive Team : 12 participants
- Grade 7 & 8 staff : ~80 participants
- Grade 5 & 6 staff : ~140 participants
- All staff : ~600 participants
Participation framework:
- Selected cohorts (e.G., Executive Team and senior grades) may participate across all retreat days
- All staff will participate for two common days
- The consultant should design a structure that allows:
- Cohort-specific depth and engagement
- Shared experiences that reinforce a common identity and direction
6. Key Thematic Areas
Proposals must demonstrate capability to design content around the following themes:
6.1 15 Years of WRI India – History and Learning
- Institutional evolution and milestones
- Key learnings and inflection points
- Reflection on impact, challenges, and growth
6.2 Common Identity and Narrative
- Articulating WRI India’s role as a thought leader and systems orchestrator
- Building staff understanding and ownership of the institutional narrative
- Connecting individual roles to organizational purpose and external impact
6.3 Future Thinking and Agility
- Preparing the organization for future challenges and opportunities
- Mindsets and behaviors required for agility and innovation
- Practical approaches to decision-making, prioritization, and execution
6.4 People and Culture
- Defining and strengthening desired organizational culture
- Leadership behaviors and staff expectations
- Collaboration, inclusion, accountability, and psychological safety
7. Deliverables
The proposal should outline delivery of the following:
- Overall retreat concept and design approach
- High-level retreat structure and duration
- Day-wise agenda mapped to participant cohorts
- Description of facilitation methodologies and session formats
- Roles expected from WRI India leadership and staff
- Consultant team composition and relevant experience
- Professional fees with assumptions and exclusions clearly stated
8. Proposal Submission Requirements
Proposals should include:
- Understanding of the assignment and design philosophy
- Proposed approach and methodology
- Relevant experience with large-scale organizational retreats or similar engagements
- Proposed team and roles
- Role of WRI India’s leadership team
- Timeline for design and preparation
- Commercial proposal , including professional fees
- Any additional value-adds or innovative approaches
What Worked Best in Past?
- Engaging Panel discussions
- Listening Sessions for All staff
- Team Building that fosters thinking and execution
9. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Understanding of organizational and cultural contexts
- Quality and coherence of proposed design approach
- Experience with large, diverse participant groups
- Strength of facilitation and sense-making capabilities
- Value for money
Timeline to Submit
Please send your technical and financial proposals by 26th Feb 2026.
…