Research opportunity: Climate Sunday project

INVITATION TO TENDER

Research to evaluate the legacy of the Climate Sunday initiative and assess support needs for climate justice work in a church context.

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Climate Sunday Research and Evaluation Invitation to Tender (Docx)

 

 

 

 

Project Aims

 Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) wishes to commission research that will:

• Evaluate the lasting impact of the Climate Sunday initiative on the churches’ engagement with issues of climate justice, and
• Assess current and future support needs that might inform the work of ecumenical bodies and, in particular, CTBI’s Environmental Issues Network.

 Project Outline

In the run-up to COP26 in Glasgow, over 2,200 churches and church groups throughout Britain and Ireland participated in the Climate Sunday Initiative, addressing climate change by holding Climate Sunday services, committing to practical action, and speaking up for climate justice.

Climate Sunday was resourced by a coalition of 31 denominations and charities, members of the Environmental Issues Network (EIN) of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). The coalition, though time-limited, aimed to leave a lasting legacy of churches committed to ongoing action. Its members continue to provide opportunities for local churches to make climate action a significant part of their discipleship and mission and to contribute to civil society efforts to secure adequate national and international action.

The findings from this research and evaluation will help to establish the lasting impact of the Climate Sunday initiative, as well as providing the basis to inform future activities of the Environmental Issues Network.  Climate Justice is a strategic priority for CTBI, so the outcomes of the project will also be used in our engagement with National Ecumenical Bodies and member churches as we advocate for strong action on the climate crisis.

TENDER DOCUMENTATION

Research and Evaluation of the Climate Sunday initiative

 Summary

CTBI wishes to evaluate the lasting impact of the Climate Sunday initiative on the churches’ engagement with issues of climate justice and assess current and future support needs that might inform the work of ecumenical bodies and, in particular, CTBI’s Environmental Issues Network.  In keeping with the collaborative nature of the Climate Sunday initiative, this research project will place a strong emphasis on listening, dialogue, and consultation.

Research Methodology and Outputs

The primary elements of this research project are the evaluation of the Climate Sunday initiative, followed by the needs analysis to inform future priorities of the Environmental Issues Network.  The initial research and needs analysis will be carried out via a combination of online focus groups and questionnaires with key stakeholders and is expected to include qualitative and quantitative approaches, information-gathering, collation, and analysis.

The primary audience for the report will be CTBI’s member churches and associated bodies, such as the Environmental Issues Network.

The main elements of this research project are, as follows:

• Design a questionnaire for an online survey for all Climate Sunday stakeholders and participating churches.
• Design the format and questions for 4 national online focus groups (based on four 90 min Zoom meeting with a maximum of 12 participants in each) with a number of Climate Sunday stakeholders and participating churches, in consultation with representatives of CTBI’s Environmental Issues Network.
• Collate and analyse all findings from both the questionnaires and focus groups.
• Provide an interim report to representatives of CTBI’s Environmental Issues Network. (Please Note: the editing and proofing work for this report is the responsibility of the researcher and the documents provided must be print-ready in clear and accessible language)

TENDER REQUIREMENTS

 Tender proposals should include:

• A summary of the candidate’s understanding of the research and evaluation aims and goals.
• An outline of skills, qualifications and experience in the area.
• A work plan identifying the approaches and methodologies to be used in carrying out the research and evaluation.
• Confirmation of ability to complete the project within the required time frame.
• A list of recent clients who may be contacted for references in relation to this tender.

TIME-FRAME

• Tender to be submitted by Friday 15^th September 2023.
• Notice of award of tender by Thursday 21^st September 2023.
• Interim report to be completed by Friday 24^th November 2023.
• Report to be completed by Friday 8^th December 2023.

Project budget

The total budget for the research project and evaluation, inclusive of VAT and all expenses is £3,000. This fee will include the preparation of a final report.

Conditions of Tender

• CTBI reserves the right not to award a contract in the event that no proposal is deemed to be suitable.
• Information supplied by tenderers will be treated as contractually binding.
• All material gathered and all outputs arising out of the proposed contract will remain the sole property of CTBI. Those submitting a tender must agree to this condition in their proposals.
• All information and knowledge acquired in the course of the research will be treated as confidential and should not be divulged to any unauthorised person or used for any purpose whatsoever without the prior approval of CTBI.
• CTBI will own the completed research and will retain copyright.
• CTBI will retain the right to publish as deemed appropriate. The researcher(s) will be acknowledged in the inside cover of the publication.
• Tenders that are delivered late will not be considered.
• Any conflicts of interest must be fully disclosed to CTBI, particularly where there is a conflict of interest in relation to any recommendations or proposals put forward by the researcher.
• CTBI will not be liable for any costs incurred in the preparation of the tender.

Payment schedule:

• 40% – at the beginning of the project
• 40% – on completion of the interim report
• 20% – on completion of the final report to the satisfaction of CTBI.

Submitting an application

Proposals should be submitted by email to Michael McClure, Company Secretary for CTBI, and marked ‘Tender for Research and Evaluation’ to arrive no later than Friday 15 September 2023.