Framework for Stakeholder Engagement, Advice and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) 2025-2029

Defra on behalf of the Environment Agency (EA) are looking to set up a follow on Stakeholder<br/>Engagement and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) Framework starting 1 Oct 2025. Effective<br/>stakeholder engagement is critical for our organisations to deliver its goals. This Framework will<br/>secure between 3-5 suppliers who can provide SEAFS deliverables that: enhances our ability to<br/>work with others builds trust with the communities we serve and enhances our reputation facilitates<br/>learning and enables our staff to engage better by developing their own skills The current contract<br/>expires on 30 September 2025. The intention is to award the new contract before the end of July<br/>2025, with a start date for services commencing on the 1 Oct 2025.. This framework agreement is<br/>being let by the Environment Agency's National Engagement and Insight Team. Although they will<br/>use the contract and review and audit work completed under it, they will not be the primary users.<br/>The primary users of this contract will be Environment Agency staff involved in stakeholder<br/>engagement at a local and national level. These 'Project Clients' will be from different parts of the<br/>organisation and will use this contract to work with stakeholders on a range of issues. Our staff<br/>have varied levels of expertise and experience in stakeholder engagement. The successful<br/>suppliers will have demonstrated through this tender process that they are national Suppliers who<br/>are experts in engagement, facilitation, evaluation and skills development and who can: provide<br/>proactive support for a planned project / programme of work provide reactive support for issues of<br/>high concern or conflict build the organisation's engagement skills and capacity And through their<br/>work, can help us: collaborate and strengthen relationships so we can deliver against our priorities<br/>identify and mitigate potential risks through helping us to engage inclusively enhance our reputation<br/>by delivering participative and well-thought-out engagement The appointed Suppliers for this<br/>Stakeholder Engagement Advice and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) Framework will support our<br/>engagement work with external stakeholders over the next 2 to 4 years. These framework<br/>Suppliers will help Environment Agency staff plan, facilitate and evaluate effective stakeholder<br/>engagement processes to support the delivery of our corporate strategy, and lay the foundations<br/>for creating an 'engagement capable' workforce