WP4110 - Evaluation Consultancy as part of Our Heritage: Walsall Community Heritage Fund Programme

Walsall Council is seeking a high-quality provider to undertake an expert evaluation of: Our Heritage: Walsall Community Heritage Fund (1st April 2025 - 30th September 2028). Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2025 Walsall Council received a £249,840 grant to deliver the Our Heritage Programme. Central to the project is the upscale of crowdfunding and engagement programmes that will enable heritage organisations to access funding, forge partnerships/supporter networks, and build resilience. 15-20 groups over 4 cohorts are expected to benefit, promoting innovation to champion Walsall's underrepresented heritage. 12 participatory grant making opportunities will be available to further enhance community voice in decision-making. Alongside this, the programme includes refreshment of the Heritage Action Plan, to guide discussions, set direction and identify sector needs over a 5-year period and beyond. The aim of the first, 2021-2026, strategy was to place heritage at the heart of Walsall's future, protecting what exists whilst nurturing sustainability and identifying opportunities to unlock its full value. The project vision is to ensure that heritage is better managed through a new Plan, integrated into Walsall's overall vision and transformation, meeting the needs of a diverse local population who are proud to live, work and visit Walsall.