CAPABILITY STRENGTHENING SUPPORT OPEN FRAMEWORK

Power to Change is looking to build a trusted pool of suitably qualified and experienced providers for the provision of capability strengthening support to community businesses in England through to 2025. An Open Framework has been set up to be used for the provision of this support; this means that we will take applications to join the framework throughout its lifespan. The anticipated service areas have been split into Lots and interested providers can apply to deliver services from more than one Lot. Please note that the framework is classed as 'open' as there is no deadline to apply to join the framework and suppliers can apply at any point during its life. Currently, the majority of capability support to be delivered in 2022 will be through the Powering Up programme. Powering Up is a programme for community businesses that need support shifting from an emergency mindset as a result of Covid-19 to investing in future planning. It aims to support community businesses in the key areas of digital growth, climate action and sustainability, and financial resilience, with a cross cutting theme of diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition to the requirements of Powering Up, it is anticipated that as new programmes of work develop, the framework will be used to ensure Power to Change is able to access suitable providers that meet the identified needs of the programmes and the community businesses they will serve. We actively encourage receiving applications to join the Framework from a wide variety of providers, especially those who can demonstrate alignment with our values and can demonstrate social impact within their business aims and objectives. We welcome applications from both national providers and local and regional providers that focus their services in particular geographies. We will particularly welcome applications from organisations that focus their support on communities that experience racial inequity, support younger people and those working in areas of highest economic deprivation (IMD 1-3). Approval to join the open framework and to deliver support services is a multi-stage process (as set out in the application documentation); the first stage is to submit an application questionnaire and the second stage is to respond to a call-off opportunity for programme specific services. Please see the links at www.powertochange.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/ for further details on the framework and the application documentation.