# Co-op Foundation issues tender for contract to boost understanding of how spaces can tackle loneliness

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/07/22/co-op-foundation-issues-tender-for-contract-to-boost-understanding-of-how-spaces-can-tackle-loneliness/
- Published: 2019-07-22T09:34:02+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The Co-op Foundation is inviting organisations to tender for a contract that will
boost learning on how community spaces can be maximised, and help to tackle loneliness.**

Up to £160,000, including VAT, is available for the successful Evaluation and Learning
Partner, funded through the [Co-op Foundation](https://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/)’
s £1.6 million partnership with government on [Space to Connect](https://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/funding_support/space-to-connect/).

The tender asks organisations to:

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 * Bring together existing knowledge on how the potential of underused community
   spaces can be maximised in innovative ways
 * Work closely with Space to Connect grant-holders to help them tell their stories,
   and understand and share learning that will shape future work
 * Create iterative summaries of learning across the programme to support, influence
   and inform projects, and leave a resource for the future
 * Analyse evidence about the overall impact that maximising community spaces has
   on the fund’s ultimate goal of supporting social connections to reduce loneliness

Tenders must be [submitted](https://www.tfaforms.com/4747567) by 12pm (noon) on 
Friday 30 August 2019. The contract is expected to start in October 2019, and run
to June 2021.

Jim Cooke, Head of the Co-op Foundation, said:

> “Our Space to Connect Evaluation and Learning partner will play a vital role in
> building our understanding of how community spaces can support social connections
> and tackle loneliness. Learning will be shared to leave a resource for the future
> that will ultimately strengthen communities.”

Co-op Foundation launched Space to Connect in June to help communities identify,
improve and protect spaces where people can connect and co-operate.

Through it, grants of up to £50,000 are available to help organisations expand activities
in spaces to make them more sustainable, or explore ways to make better use of spaces
to address challenges, like loneliness and access to community activities.

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