Framework to supply specialist support for the Ffiws (Makerspace) project (November 2021)

Tender description

1.0 Project Summary The project is setting up ‘maker spaces’ in towns in Gwynedd in order to demonstrate the technology and develop a community of makers across the county. It will be delivered in partnership between Gwynedd Council and Menter Môn with funding via Arfor and the Gwynedd LEADER project (Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig). To deliver the project we wish to appoint specialists to a. Provide ongoing technical support b. Work with groups and individuals to develop basic skills and increase awareness of the technology. 2.0 Overview of LEADER LEADER is the term used to describe a local development approach for rural areas. The name comes from the French abbreviation for ‘Liaison Entre Actions pour le Development de L’Economie Rurale’ which roughly translates to ‘links between actions for developing the rural economy’ It is an EU and Welsh Government funded project that will support activities in Gwynedd between 2015 and 2022 across five themes. More information is available on the Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig website. The current LEADER programme is being delivered in Gwynedd by Menter Môn. They are accountable to the Local Action Groups (LAG) which gives strategic direction and experienced input into projects. The LAG for Gwynedd is Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig. The Gwynedd team are based in Porthmadog and with responsibility of working with various groups and communities of interest, to develop and administer projects. 3.0 Overview of Arfor Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Carmarthenshire and Anglesey are the counties with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers, but the number has been falling for a long time. Increasing the number of Welsh speakers is a key aim for Welsh Government through the Million Welsh Speakers programme. The counties of Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Carmarthenshire and Anglesey have also, for a long time, been facing economic challenges. They are rural counties with low salaries due to a lack of well-paid jobs. The Welsh Government Strategy, 'Prosperity for All' (2017), outlines regional structures for future economic development in Wales. This means that the four counties form part of economic regions where English is more prominent, and where the emphasis in the regions are on their urban centres. However, there is support and desire across the four local authorities to work in partnership to consider how the economy within these counties could be developed, and through this, to increase the sustainability of the Welsh language strongholds. Welsh Government earmarked £2 million for the 2019/20 to 2020/21 period to allow the four counties to collaborate to prepare a Strategic Plan that would ensure the prosperity of the economy in the west of Wales and to experiment and trial plans to that end. This is the ARFOR programmme (see www.rhaglenarfor.cymru for further information). 4.0 The Ffiws Project A makerspace is a collaborative workspace for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. The type of technology available in a maker space includes 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC routers. A full list of the equipment has been provided in an attachment. This project is seeking to create a ‘pop up’ maker space that will be located in empty shops, community spaces and business parks. The project will come to an end in January Along with the equipment, the project will provide facilitation support to raise awareness and develop a community of makers that will support ongoing activity. The type of activities will include (but not limited to) the following: • Induction sessions on the equipment for individuals and small groups • Workshops / inductions for craftworkers / artists • Workshops / inductions for young people / students • Workshops / inductions for businesses • Talks and demonstrations for community groups e.e. Merched y Wawr, Rugby Club, Urdd, Business Clubs, Mens Shed • Train the trainer sessions • Collaboration events with other projects e.g. Hwb Menter,