Arts Council England (ACE) is delivering Part One (Strand 1) of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Know Your Neighbourhood fund designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England. Libraries Connected is procuring and commissioning an evaluation on behalf of ACE to measure the success of the project.

ACE is working with three cultural partners:

● Libraries Connected

● Association of Independent Museums

● Creative Lives

ACE will provide grant funding to delivery organisations in the library, museum and community led sectors in the 27 geographical areas identified as high priority.

The evaluation will measure success across activities delivered by all three of these cultural partners against the following objectives:

Objective 1

Build the evidence base by March 2025 to understand how, and to what extent, interventions in the arts, culture and heritage sectors in areas of high deprivation can be most effective in increasing the availability of, and participation in, impactful and meaningful volunteering opportunities.

Objective 2

Build the evidence base by March 2025 to understand how, and to what extent interventions in the arts, culture and heritage sectors in areas of high deprivation can be most effective in supporting people at higher risk of loneliness to make the social connections they desire.

Objective 3

By March 2025, increase participation in volunteering opportunities that participants agree are impactful and meaningful within the arts, culture and heritage sectors in target areas.

Objective 4

By March 2025, increase the number of people from groups most at risk of chronic loneliness who participate in arts, culture and heritage opportunities that support them to make the social connections they desire.

We are keen to consider a wide range of submissions and work with a selected provider to develop and deliver an evaluation plan that is aligned with the needs of the delivery partners, the funder (DCMS / ACE) and the ultimate beneficiaries of the service.

Value: £108,000

Deadline for submissions: 5pm, Wednesday 12 July 2023

Please see the attached Invitation to Tender document for details of how to submit.