Request for proposals: Seoul urban air quality planning and ecosystem mapping

The Clean Air Fund is inviting proposals to support urban air quality planning in Seoul and identify the ecosystem of partners required to support implementation. The assignment will build on engagement undertaken to date with Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) and will be delivered in close collaboration with a small Seoul urban air quality working group. It will establish a shared strategic direction, recommend an initial focus for support, and identify the partnerships and delivery arrangements required to move from planning to implementation. Find out more and apply by November 25, 2026. Request for proposals Seoul urban air quality planning and ecosystem mapping RFP Overview Contracting organisation Clean Air Fund Assignment Seoul urban air quality planning and ecosystem mapping Indicative duration 6-8 weeks, averaging 2-3 days per week Location Seoul, Republic of Korea, with a mix of in-person and remote working Budget Bidders should propose a budget inclusive of all applicable taxes and expenses Submission deadline 25 November 2026 Contact Dalma Dacyszyn, Clean Air Fund (email: Ddacyszyn@cleanairfund.org) About the Clean Air Fund The Clean Air Fund is a global philanthropic organisation working to create a future where everyone breathes clean air. We fund and partner with people and organisations that drive urgent reductions in air pollution to protect our health, climate and economies. Through funding, partnerships and advocacy, we generate better air quality data, support new evidence and solutions, and influence decision- makers to act. Purpose The Clean Air Fund is inviting proposals to support urban air quality planning in Seoul and identify the ecosystem of partners required to support implementation. The assignment will build on engagement undertaken to date with Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) and will be delivered in close collaboration with a small Seoul urban air quality working group. It will establish a shared strategic direction, recommend an initial focus for support, and identify the partnerships and delivery arrangements required to move from planning to implementation. Korea will hold the G20 Presidency in 2028, creating an opportunity to build on international momentum on clean air and the progress made under the South African G20 Presidency. This assignment will identify and map key Korean G20 stakeholders, identify opportunities for influence, and recommend potential policy issues or framing likely to resonate with the Korean government. Objectives and activities 1. Consolidate existing evidence and insights • Review existing Seoul air quality landscape materials, relevant SMG plans, and findings from engagement undertaken to date. • Prepare concise briefing notes on priority topics, drawing where appropriate on Korean language sources. • Synthesise the key opportunities, challenges and strategic choices for urban air quality action in Seoul. 2. Map the Seoul clean-air ecosystem • Identify key stakeholders across government, academia, civil society, communities, philanthropy and the private sector, with a particular focus on organisations relevant to the emerging priority areas. • Assess their roles, influence, interests, relationships and potential contributions to urban air quality action in Seoul. • Identify priority partnerships, coalition opportunities and potential delivery partners. • Highlight relevant existing networks and relationships that the work should build on, as well as material gaps in the current ecosystem. 3. Undertake stakeholder engagement • Work with the Seoul urban air quality working group to plan and undertake engagement with SMG and its affiliated institutions. • Support the preparation and follow-up of Clean Air Fund and partner visits and in person engagement in Seoul during the consultation period. • Conduct targeted interviews with SMG and external stakeholders, with particular attention to civil society, communities and organisations not yet sufficiently engaged. • Test and refine emerging priorities, strategic choices and partnership opportunities. • Facilitate at least one stakeholder dialogue or workshop. 4. Develop a Seoul urban air quality strategy 1 • Develop a proposed long-term vision, strategic objectives and intended outcomes for urban air quality action in Seoul, building on SMG's own plans and priorities. • Assess the emerging areas of interest and recommend one or two priority workstreams for initial support, with a clear rationale, intended contribution and potential delivery pathway. • Identify how Seoul can benefit from, and contribute to, wider international clean air networks and the Clean Air Fund's portfolio of city work. • Set out the immediate decisions and actions required to move from strategy development to implementation. 5. Planning for Korea's G20 Presidency Drawing on the wider ecosystem mapping and stakeholder engagement, the consultant should: • Identify the main routes to understand Korea's emerging G20 priorit