The Executive Office (TEO) Communities in Transition (CIT): Addressing Vulnerability to Monetary Exploitation programme in the Carrickfergus and Larne, East Belfast and North Down CIT Areas

Tender description

TEO is seeking to establish a Contract for the provision of an ‘Addressing Vulnerability to Monetary Exploitation programme’ in the Carrickfergus and Larne, East Belfast and North Down CIT Areas. The Contractor will empower communities through a community development approach, to address issues relating to monetary exploitation by those seeking to sustain paramilitary activity, criminality and organised crime, in the CIT areas. It is envisioned that the Contractor will also operate in an ‘area of influence’ around the CIT Areas. The core area provides a focal point for action and investment. The concept of a wider area of influence, that is not sharply defined, acknowledges that building positive, resilient communities can sometimes require wider connection to both physical and social assets in neighbouring areas. Investment decisions and actions will be informed by the likely impact on core areas. The Contractor will develop and design the programme in a way that ensures it can be delivered in line with work already undertaken to date in the three CIT Areas as part of the CIT Project; paragraph 6.2 of the Specification provides further details. The Contractor’s programme must be co-designed through a participatory approach with the community and relevant stakeholders therefore they will need to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the three CIT Areas and the relative programme Health and Wellbeing issues within them. It will also be essential for the Contractor to work collaboratively both in and with, all CIT Areas included in this Contract. The Contractor will, therefore, need to adopt a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of Services, instigating an extensive outreach programme of activity to target all eligible Individuals / Organisations / Groups located in the CIT Areas. It is envisaged that the Contractor will incorporate the following elements within their programme: Community Development approach to Monetary Exploitation; Verification and Intervention programme; Health and Wellbeing Intervention; and Community Money Management Advice and Support. As a minimum, the Contractor should aim to gain the engagement of 10 individuals within each CIT area (minimum of 10 individuals x 3 areas = 30 participants), to actively participate in the programme. Full details of the specific Contract requirements are provided for at paragraph 6.4 of the Specification of Requirements Schedule. Successful delivery of this Contract aims to: • Raise awareness of existing relevant debt support services available; • Raise awareness of the consequences of monetary exploitation; • Stimulate interest in community based action to reduce vulnerability to monetary exploitation; • Increase individual and community resilience against paramilitary control; and • Reduce the number of people vulnerable to paramilitary influence and control. It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in February 2021 and run for a period of 15 months, subject to the Conditions outlined in paragraphs 5.1 – 5.3 of the Specification of Requirements Schedule.