Award

GMCA1597 Unity Radio (North West Media Ltd) Partnership

GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Mar 2026 at 09:41

Summary of the contracting process

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has successfully completed the procurement process for the "GMCA1597 Unity Radio (North West Media Ltd) Partnership," awarding a contract valued at £45,000 to North West Media Limited. This initiative is geared towards producing and airing radio content aimed at young people in Greater Manchester, specifically utilising radio as a powerful medium for engaging those who are hard to reach through other platforms. The project is situated within the "Radio services" industry category and covers the UKD3 region. The procurement followed a direct method, procured below the competitive threshold, and the contracting stage was completed with the award date on March 10th, 2026. The contract period is set from September 1st, 2025, to March 31st, 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for SMEs specialising in media production and youth engagement services. Businesses focused on content creation, radio broadcasting, or social media promotion could find this partnership beneficial. This contract allows businesses to apply their expertise in the development of impactful media programmes aimed at reducing violence and addressing societal issues among the youth. Enterprises with a keen interest in social influence and media impact are especially well-suited to compete for similar future projects. The collaboration with Unity Radio and EY3 Media promises potential for creativity and expansion into new social media channels, offering businesses a platform to showcase their skills in community engagement and media production.

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Notice Title

GMCA1597 Unity Radio (North West Media Ltd) Partnership

Notice Description

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has awarded PS45,000 to Unity Radio to produce and air radio content specifically aimed at young people in Greater Manchester. We will continue to use radio as an additional way of reaching more young people and young people that can be hard to reach through our existing platforms - VRU website and social channels. This is a continuation of three previous programmes of work which created high impact for young people on each programme and enabled key messaging around violence reduction, knife crime etc. to be shared with a significant number of our target audience. The decision is that: The VRU is seeking to award PS45,000 to Unity Radio to produce and air radio content specifically aimed at young people in Greater Manchester. We will continue to use radio as an additional way of reaching more young people and young people that can be hard to reach through our existing platforms - VRU website and social channels. This is a continuation of three previous programmes of work which created high impact for young people on each programme and enabled key messaging around violence reduction, knife crime etc. to be shared with a significant number of our target audience. Unity will deliver a number of programmes engaging 8-12 participants between the ages of 13 -17 who will achieve an accredited Arts Award. The participants will attend weekly evening workshops and be delivered by a highly skilled, motivated and experienced team who have already delivered the previous two phases of the programme. The young people will apply their accredited learning at the workshops into a practical experience by designing, developing and delivering live FM radio shows that will be broadcast on Unity Radio's FM and Digital platforms. The shows will be edited and published on www.unityradio.fm for playback and promoted across social media including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Unity will continue work with EY3 Media (the VRU's Content Creation provider) to maximise all opportunities for repurposing content. The content of each radio show will contain features and discussion by the participants on the subject matter and related topics. The discussion will be between the young people and also include agency partners who can deliver workshops for the young people in exchange for their service being promoted on air.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0665f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021178-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

92210000 - Radio services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£45,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Aug 20256 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 6EU
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NORTH WEST MEDIA

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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