---
title: "Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-07"
---

# Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy

Buyer: CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7

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## Summary

Cheshire West and Chester Council is inviting tenders for its "Trees for Climate (TFC) Match at Source Blended Finance Strategy" project. This procurement, currently in the tender stage, is aimed at developing an investment-ready operating model for a blended finance approach in collaboration with regulated infrastructure organisations. The contract, which falls under the financial and insurance services category, is valued at £100,000 and involves creating a financial and governance framework. The submission deadline for tenders is set for 29th May 2026, with an enquiry period ending on 22nd May 2026. The procurement is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), and the related services will be delivered within the UKD6 region.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in financial services, governance, and strategic planning to utilise their expertise in a public sector context. Particularly, those offering innovative solutions, such as blockchain-enabled assurance, stand to benefit. SMEs and VCSEs will find this procurement process particularly advantageous due to its suitability criteria, promoting inclusive participation. Success in securing this contract could enhance a company's portfolio through involvement in a high-impact government initiative with long-term environmental and social implications, making it an attractive proposition for those seeking to expand their influence in the public sector and finance markets.

## Notice

The programme aims to develop and test a blended finance approach-'Match at Source'-that collaborates with regulated infrastructure organisations to achieve mutual benefits, increase scale and quality, accelerate delivery (Raise the Peak), and extend the programme's lifespan (Lengthen the Tail). This tender seeks to develop an investment-ready operating model, including clear governance of financial structures, robust monitoring and assurance, and an engagement plan with infrastructure sponsors, regulators, and appropriate government departments. Key elements include the Strategic Stretch financial model, a legal and governance framework to prevent double-counting and foster transparent attribution, potential tokenisation of Community Forest benefits, and a four-phase delivery plan culminating in a comprehensive business case before the Autumn 2028 Spending Review. The potential links to public procurement, in particular Social Value requirements, are also part of this specification, providing verified "Social Value" units that deliver high-quality impacts linked to local Community Forest Plans. Innovation is strongly encouraged, but not at the expense of the main objective, whether through tokenised, blockchain-enabled assurance (preferred) or an acceptable non-tokenised alternative that offers lower risk or quicker implementation.

### Planning Information

Soft Market Test - Strategic Development for TFC Blended Finance please see SMT uploaded on www.the-chest.org.uk

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041878-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 29 May 2026 |
| Future notice date | 11 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 2 Aug 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £100,000 |
| Lots value | £100,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL |
| Locality | ELLESMERE PORT |
| Post town | Chester |
| Postcode | CH65 0BA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester |
| Local authority | Cheshire West and Chester |
| Electoral ward | Central & Grange |
| Westminster constituency | Ellesmere Port and Bromborough |
| Delivery location | TLD North West (England), TLD6 Cheshire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services

### Codes

- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services

## Release History

- 7 May 2026 at 11:37 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041878-2026
- 4 Mar 2026 at 11:52 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019396-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041878-2026
  7th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019396-2026
  4th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661e7.json.