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Expression of Interest: Engaging deaf people, domestic abuse survivors, young people and New Scots in democracy

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

29 Sep 2026 at 18:04

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

18 Sep 2026 at 13:11

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

18 Sep 2026 at 10:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

17 Sep 2026 at 17:11

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Electoral Commission is seeking action-research projects to improve access to democratic information and participation among groups that face barriers to engaging with elections. The four strands cover Deaf people, including British Sign Language users; domestic abuse survivors who may benefit from anonymous voter registration; young people in England, with a focus on healthy democratic debate; and refugees and other eligible New Scots seeking to understand and exercise their voting rights. The work combines community engagement, education and training, and social services. Delivery is across the UK for the Deaf, domestic abuse and New Scots strands; the young people’s project is in England. Suppliers can express interest in one or more of these distinct projects.

The Electoral Commission invited expressions of interest through a below-threshold open competition. The enquiry deadline was 7 October 2026 at 12:00 BST, and the expression-of-interest deadline was 28 October 2026 at 13:00 BST. No proposals or costings were required at the expression-of-interest stage; tenders were to follow. The published total estimated value is £143,750 excluding VAT (£172,500 including VAT). The four lots are valued at £80,000 for Deaf people, £50,000 for domestic abuse survivors, £30,000 for young people and £12,500 for New Scots, all including VAT. The contract period for each lot runs from 13 November 2026 to 31 March 2028, with possible yearly extensions to March 2030 subject to budget approval and continuing need. Tender evaluation weights outcomes 40%, impact and evaluation 20%, timescales, management and resources, and safeguarding 10% each, and cost 10%.

This opportunity is suited to small and medium-sized organisations, including specialist charities, community groups, research organisations and education providers with trusted links to the target communities. The strongest fit is a supplier able to co-design accessible democratic information and translate it into practical support that helps people understand voting and participate. Relevant experience may include Deaf-led engagement and British Sign Language access; work with domestic abuse services and safe, confidential voter-registration support; youth engagement and facilitation of constructive democratic debate; or refugee and migrant support focused on voting rights. Bidders need to demonstrate a credible plan for delivering the outcomes for their chosen group, meeting the required timescales, and providing appropriate management and resources. Evaluation also places weight on impact measurement and safeguarding, so suppliers should be able to explain how they will protect participants and assess whether their work improves access and participation.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Expression of Interest: Engaging deaf people, domestic abuse survivors, young people and New Scots in democracy

Notice Description

Action Research Projects 2026 27 The Electoral Commission is the independent public body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity. We also use our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency. Our voter engagement work aims to promote greater consistency in political literacy education, increase knowledge and understanding of democracy, and increase voter confidence to engage in our democratic system. To date, we have worked with partners to develop and deliver a range of activities and resources designed to educate voters, particularly under-registered groups and others facing barriers to participation, about how to register to vote, ways to vote and changes to elections (such as the introduction of the voter ID requirement). For further details see attached Expression of Interest form.

Lot Information

Deaf people, including but not limited to British Sign Language users

A project to improve access to co-created democratic information, and increase democratic participation among Deaf people. Beneficiaries will include, but not be limited to, British Sign Language users.

Renewal: Possible yearly extensions up to March 2030, if budget approved and requirements to be continued.

Supporting Domestic Abuse Survivors Project

Up to two projects to improve access to democratic information and increase democratic participation among domestic abuse survivors who may benefit from registering to vote anonymously.

Renewal: Possible yearly extensions up to March 2030, if budget approved and requirements to be continued.

Supporting Young Voices in Democracy Project

A project focused on increasing democratic engagement and participation among young people in England, with a particular focus on healthy democratic debate.

Renewal: Possible yearly extensions up to March 2030, if budget approved and requirements to be continued.

Supporting New Scots project

A project focused on supporting refugees and other eligible New Scots to understand and exercise their voting rights.

Renewal: Possible yearly extensions up to March 2030, if budget approved and requirements to be continued.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0774de
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092087-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£143,750 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£172,500 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
28 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
13 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
EC1Y 8YZ
Postcode Area
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI43 Haringey and Islington
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Islington
Electoral Ward
Bunhill
Westminster Constituency
Islington South and Finsbury

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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