Request for proposals for external evaluation
Social Enterprise Supports Programme

About South Dublin County Partnership:

South Dublin County Partnership (SDC Partnership) is a local development company. Our vision is that South Dublin County be a vibrant and welcoming community where everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, has equal opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential. We work with individuals, groups, families, and businesses to bring about positive change in peoples’ lives and across communities.

Our programmes include enterprise and employment, education and lifelong learning, health and well-being, children and families, community development and supports for new communities.

About Social Enterprise in South Dublin County:

There is a diverse range of social enterprise organisations operating across South Dublin County delivering vital services within their communities and committed to making a positive social impact.

These Social enterprises operate within the most disadvantaged areas of the County and offer products and services across a wide range of business sectors including health care, childcare, the arts and heritage, education and training, recycling, property management.

South Dublin County Partnership believes that the social enterprise sector is an important player in both economic and community life across the region and we greatly value being involved in supporting the sector through our Social Enterprise Supports Programme funded by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (2024 to 2028).

External Evaluation Objectives:

• Assess the effectiveness and impact of SDC Partnership’s Social enterprise support programme.
• Identify any gaps in service provision.
• Make recommendations for programme enhancement or future programme development.

Requirements

SDC Partnership requests written proposals from suitably qualified individuals or companies with expertise in the fields of social enterprise and/or community development to undertake an evaluation of its social enterprise supports programme delivered in 2024/2025.

Scope of proposal:

To identify and document the impact of the outputs / outcomes of SDC Partnership’s Social Enterprise Support programme delivered to 20 Social Enterprise organisations annually, these supports include: training, mentoring, networking events, support with grant funding applications and video production activities.

The evaluation will be achieved by:

• Establishing baseline data.
• Using a range of measurement approaches including quantitative and qualitative tools: Programme participant interviews, feedback from trainers, participant focus group/case studies and programme data reviews.
• Engaging with SDC Partnership Social Enterprise Project staff.
• Reviewing current evaluation mechanisms used making recommendations for improvements.
• Production of an evaluation report and Power Point Presentation summarising key findings.
• The evaluation report will document the impact of the Social Enterprise Supports delivered by SDC Partnership and provide clear recommendations for future development of the social enterprise supports programme.

Timeframe:

• The contract will commence on 13 October 2025
• All project activities will be completed by 5 December 2025.
• A final evaluation report will be due on 12 December 2025 with final payment thereafter.

Format of Proposals:

Proposals should include:

• Experience and skills to deliver this project.
• A brief strategy showing how the project will be managed.
• An outline project plan with timelines.
• Details of methodology to be used.
• Breakdown of estimated costs clearly outlining the number of days/times involved.
• The consultant must be tax compliant – before a contract is awarded the successful candidate will be required to produce current Tax Clearance details.
• Details of two references
• Any potential conflicts of interest must be fully disclosed.

Please note this process constitutes no guarantee to purchase services from a particular provider until a contract is awarded and signed. SDC Partnership will not be liable in respect of any costs incurred in the preparation of quotations or any associated work.

Quotations must include itemised costs and must include the rate of VAT where applicable.

Budget:

A budget €3,500 inclusive of VAT, is available to cover all associated costs involved in undertaking, completing and the presentation of the final evaluation report.

The proposal should clearly and individually cost each element of the work involved in undertaking and completing the evaluation including the number of days to be assigned and the daily rate applicable.

Requests for clarification:

If clarifications are sought, please email Brid.Healy@sdcpartnership.ie before 5pm 1 September.

Award Criteria:

Proposals will be assessed using the following criteria:

• Overall presentation of proposal and details of resources available to complete the project within required timeline.
• Relevant Social Enterprise/Community Development experience and qualifications
• Previous similar evaluation experience.
• Cost

Applications:

All tenders are to be submitted by email to: Catherine.Robinson@sdcpartnership.ie – subject box to be marked ”Proposals for external evaluation Social Enterprise Supports Programme Ref. 204”.

Closing date for receipt of applications is no later than Friday, 5 September 2025, late submissions will not be accepted.