Tender for the provision of Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the project actions on the local economy and population for LIFE On Machair Project

Tender description

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has been awarded EU funding for the LIFE Nature and Biodiversity Project, LIFE On Machair. The project will focus on improving the conservation status of machair systems inside the Natura 2000 network, at project sites in Counties Galway, Mayo and Donegal. This project aims to reduce the already adverse impacts on machair systems in the project sites and minimise detrimental ecological, economic and social impacts by demonstrating optimal management practices to improve their conservation status. The project invites Tenders from qualified Tenderers for the provision of “Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the project actions on the local economy and population for LIFE On Machair Project” as described in this Request for Tenders. Brief Description of the Required Services To evaluate the socio-economic impact of the project actions and the significance of the ecosystem services provided by the projects operational footprint to the wider region and nationally. A study of the socio-economic impacts of the project actions in the 9 project sites will be carried out to quantify the benefits of the project to the local communities, especially in the hinterland of the project focus areas. In addition to the obvious benefits arising from increased economic activity generated by project budget, this assessment will also evaluate benefits such as habitat improvement, increased biodiversity, enhanced ecosystem services and added-value effects such as improved educational, recreational and rural tourism opportunities. The assessment of attitudinal change in local residents toward the restoration and sustainable management of these 9 project sites will be undertaken using structured questionnaires and stakeholder surveys.