Establishment and operation of a fund for disabled candidates standing for election in Wales

The Welsh Government is seeking an appropriate fund administrator to deliver a contract for preparation, awareness raising and operation of a fund to support disabled candidates seeking election to the Senedd in May 2026 and local government in May 2027. The fund (not part of this contract) will provide support to cover the additional costs of seeking election because of candidates’ disabilities. The value of the fund is currently set at up to GBP75,000 across the two election cycles. The successful bidder will be paid a fee to deliver the contract the value of which will be confirmed in the tender documents.The contract to manage the fund will build on the pilot Access to Elected Office fund developed and operated by Disability Wales at the 2021 and 2022 Senedd and local government elections in Wales where awards of approximately £24,000 were made to 23 applicants. Further information regarding the Access to Elected Office Fund Wales - Disability Wales pilot can be found here - https://www.disabilitywales.org/projects/access-to-elected-office-fund-wales/Since the pilot there has been a high level of interest and support for the fund, and we anticipate future demand will be higher. A key part of the role for the supplier will be promoting the fund, encouraging and providing support to potential applicants.The supplier will be expected to take account of recommendations from the independent evaluation of the fund and other parameters specified by the Welsh Ministers in developing and setting up the new fund. The Review of the Access to Elected Office Fund for Wales pilot can be found here –https://www.gov.wales/review-access-elected-office-fund-wales-pilotThe successful supplier will be awarded a 2 year contract which will cover the election cycles for the May 2026 Senedd and May 2027 local ordinary elections (with the possibility of extension) to deliver the following service requirements:• Developing the fund within parameters issued by Welsh Ministers- Promoting and Publicising the scheme to potential applicants- Development and operation of advisory service for potential applicants about support available- Development and operation of application and assessment process and decision making about approval / rejection of applications- Provision of funding for successful applications – either direct to successful applicants or to providers of services to them through Welsh Government financing processes- Reporting to Welsh Government and records management.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=146340.