Published date: 19 November 2025

Last edited date: 19 November 2025

Open future opportunity - This means that the buyer is not yet ready to invite bid applications but early notification has been provided and some dialogue may be possible.


Approach to market date: 8 December 2025

Contract summary

Industry

  • Electronic information services - 64216200

  • Provision of services to the community - 75200000

  • Social research services - 79315000

    • Miscellaneous services - 98300000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Value of contract

£5,000 to £100,000

Procurement reference

WP132

Published date

19 November 2025

Approach to market date

8 December 2025

Contract start date

1 February 2026

Contract end date

31 August 2027

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

We will commission projects which aim to increase democratic participation among groups who are less likely to be registered to vote and those who face other barriers. More information on these groups can be found in the attached EOI document.

We will commission projects grouped under the following Lots:

Lot 1: Action research projects, to pilot new and innovative approaches to democratic engagement in England

Lot 2: Accessible voting projects, to support disabled and neurodivergent voters across the UK

Lot 3: Digital engagement projects, to engage new and diverse audiences and explore the role that digital engagement can have in increasing participation

We welcome a wide range of initiatives. We will encourage innovation and creativity from partners, while incorporating best practice in education and community engagement. Initiatives could include traditional education interventions, activities to upskill professionals and trusted community voices, initiatives to build capacity to deliver democratic engagement, events, tech-based solutions, and awareness raising activities.

We will work in partnership with commissioned organisations to determine what success looks like and how we measure impact.

Projects should explore a range of topics based on what is important to their audiences, such as:

- Registering to vote
- The voter ID requirement
- Ways to vote
- How to identify mis- and disinformation
- What to expect at the polling station
- Upcoming changes to elections

This call is intended for organisations with a proven track record of delivering community or democratic engagement activities. While we welcome diverse expertise, applications from organisations whose primary focus is academic research, consultancy or market analysis are discouraged unless they are part of a joint bid led by an organisation with the required experience.

Next steps
If you are interested in applying for this tender, please register your interest.

1. Register on the portal
The expected invitation to tender will be published on the Electoral Commission's Procurement Portal, please register as a supplier by following this link https://intendhost.co.uk/electoralcommission

If you need help with registering, please may you contact the In-tend Technical Helpdesk on 0114 407 0065.

2. Contact procurement, register interest
Once you have registered on the portal, please contact us stating which lot/s you intend on applying for. There is no need to formally respond to the tender at this stage with an application.

To express interest, please:
1. Register on the Electoral Commission's In-Tend Procurement Portal
2. Email procurement@electoralcommission.org.uk with confirmation of interest.

Please include 'WP132 Democratic Engagement Projects 2025-30' in the subject line.

Contact details
Name: The Electoral Commission - Procurement Team
Email address: procurement@electoralcommission.org.uk

More information

Spend profile

This table displays the spend profile of the notice
Financial year Budget
2025/2026 £374,000

Attachments

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Contact name

Taf Muparadzi

Address

3 Bunhill Row
LONDON
EC1Y8YZ
England

Telephone

02072710739

Email

procurement@electoralcommission.org.uk