ACE 1128 ITQ Youth Voice Sector Insight and Evidence

Opportunity overview

Arts Council England (ACE), the national development agency for creativity and culture, are seeking a suitably qualified supplier to undertake a research and mapping exercise to establish a baseline understanding of youth voice practice across the arts and cultural sector in England. The purpose of this commission is to build a robust evidence base on youth voice practice across the sector, identifying strengths, gaps, challenges and opportunities. Findings will inform future organisational development, sector support activity and potential investment priorities relating to youth voice. ACE is seeking a supplier to design and deliver an appropriate research methodology combining desk research, evidence review and quantitative data collection. This will include a sector-wide survey of arts and cultural organisations, with sector professionals and practitioners responding on behalf of their organisations. Additional qualitative research methods are welcomed where considered feasible within the available budget and timescale. The successful supplier will be required to produce outputs that are accessible and understandable to young people aged 14 and above. Further details on the requirements are provided within the ITQ, which can be requested via email from Abir.Tobji@artscouncil.org.uk All correspondence in relation to this quotation (including clarifications and submissions) should be address to: Abir Tobji, Senior Manager, Youth Engagement. Email: Abir.Tobji@artscouncil.org.uk

Lot 1 — Contract lot

Estimated lot value including VAT: £25k

Award criterion: Price: 15%

Award criterion: Quality: 85%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 14 December 2026

Initial contract ends: 31 March 2027

Contracting authority

The Arts Council of England The Hive, 2nd Floor 47 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1FN, UKD33, United Kingdom Contact: Procurement Services Email: Abir.Tobji@artscouncil.org.uk

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Below threshold - open competition

Clarification deadline: 22 November 2026 at 11:59 pm

Submission deadline: 30 November 2026 at 10:00 am

Electronic submissions: allowed

CPV Classification

73000000 — Research and development services and related consultancy services; 73200000 — Research and development consultancy services; 73210000 — Research consultancy services; 73300000 — Design and execution of research and development; 73220000 — Development consultancy services; 79419000 — Evaluation consultancy services; 80000000 — Education and training services; 98133110 — Services provided by youth associations

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to the buyer’s electronic tendering system. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

Open the buyer’s electronic tendering system ↗

TenderLab qualification first

Before we write, we establish whether the opportunity fits.

We examine the published participation conditions, service scope, geography, regulatory position, available evidence, mobilisation demands and commercial exposure with your team. We only confirm a full tender-writing engagement when the available information supports a responsible view that the provider meets the tender requirements.

If ACE 1128 ITQ Youth Voice Sector Insight and Evidence is a credible fit, we can map the scored requirements, gather operational evidence and build the response around the buyer documents. The qualification check and any writing support do not guarantee an award; the contracting authority makes the final decision.