BackgroundNature-Based Solutions (NBS) are becoming increasingly recognized as a scalable solution that can address a host of climate; environmental and socio-economic challenges in the rural sector. However; the ways in which the potential extent of NBS is measured and demonstrated to decision-makers remains to be developed. Geospatial analysis is the best way to communicate to decision-makers the potential extent of NBS in their country context; but there are few; authoritative approaches to analyzing the extent of different NBS within multiple countries. Currently; there are many geospatial approaches to estimate and depict suitable areas of different NBS in the rural sector; however; these approaches are usually very context or project specific; rendering it more difficult to apply a single; overarching methodology to multiple country contexts; especially applicable to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Therefore; the World Bank is seeking a consultancy that will devise a well-researched methodology for identifying suitable areas of NBS using geospatial tools that is globally applicable; with a focus on low- and lower-middle income countries.The consultancy will be led by the NBS Invest Global Knowledge Platform (NBS Invest). NBS Invest is an initiative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Bank; launched in 2023; to increase funding for and mainstream NbS into climate mitigation and adaptation projects in LDCs. With funding from the GEF¡¯s Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) NBS Invest offers technical; financial; knowledge; and capacity building support to LDC governments through World Bank projects in the environment; water; urban; agriculture; transport and energy sectors; in collaboration with relevant ministries and partner organizations. The project aims to increase: (i) planning and resources for NbS through World Bank projects and/or investments; (ii) policy recognition and high-level policy support for NbS adoption; (iii) country-level ability to design and apply NBS initiatives; and (iv) improved information and knowledge sharing on NbS best practices; lessons; and experiences. Objective and scope of the consultancyNBS Invest is seeking a center of excellence or consulting firm to develop a well-researched; science-backed approach to identifying suitable areas for and prioritizing NBS on threatened and degraded landscapes to support adaptation and resilience; including jobs and income generation for smallholders; in the rural agricultural and forestry sector in a cost and time-efficient manner. The methodology must be able to perform the following sequential analytical steps: 1. Based on a defined spatial boundary; identify the main climatic risks/hazards; environmental; and/or socio-economic pressures (e.g.; flooding; land degradation; unsustainable land use; as possible; and be able to identify the source of these issues); as well as identify and estimate the area under threat or degraded conditions; and quantitatively estimate their negative impacts on the people and the environment (e.g.; loss of agricultural productivity; biodiversity loss [1])2. At the country-level; assess where in which areas a range of NBS can provide solutions to these challenges that are relevant for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for key pressures/threats and prioritize the most feasible and impactful option based on criteria and valuation of their various benefit streams. At the same time; the methodology must be able to provide estimates and geospatially map all areas suitable for each NBS option within the defined spatial boundary.This methodology should be problem-first-oriented; in that the identification of NBS must be based on key climatic and/or environmental challenges. The methodology should (geospatially) identify various degraded/threatened areas (such as biodiversity hotspots/protected areas; agriculture areas; and forestry areas) and account for the consequences of inaction or the lack of implementation of measures to address these threats. It should incorporate in its suitability analysis the feasibility of implementing NBS in currently suitable areas changes according to a projected climate model. The written methodology should prioritize the use of publicly available and World Bank proprietary data sources to identify suitable areas at a reasonably high resolution (~30 m) to demonstrate to decision makers and inform project preparation teams about the extent of NBS potential in rural landscapes. Identifying suitable areas will require a comprehensive understanding of the goals of NBS in the agricultural and forestry sectors; as well as the types of data sources needed to construct a robust; multi-criteria suitability analysis; thus requiring the incorporation of several different variables; including (though not limited to) climate; environmental; socio-economic; and topographic data. The methodology should explain how to process and combine these various variables; and