*Please note, this commission closes 28th August 2026 at 5pm.*
Background
Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) is committed to achieving the targets of zero waste and zero net carbon by 2040. This involves changing behaviours and attitudes and encouraging residents to take actions to help us achieve our goals.
MRWA wishes to work with our partners to make Liverpool City Region a place where all materials are valued as usable resources and that nothing goes to waste – we need to waste less, and reuse, repair, share and recycle more.
The Project
For this project, MRWA is looking to recruit an organisation or individual to develop and deliver a range of community-based sewing workshops in each of the six districts of the Liverpool City Region. These sessions aim to promote a transition to behaviour that keeps textiles out of the waste stream, instilling attendees with life skills in repair, tailoring and upcycling.
Projects can be held anytime between commissioning and March 2027 but will be required to actively participate in Repair Week 2027. Repair week is a nation campaign showcasing repair skills and sessions through events, workshops, talks and more. Engagement can vary based on each schemes offering but should be included as a key deliverable.
Project Aims
The aim of this project promote a transition to behaviour that keeps textiles out of the waste stream, instilling attendees with life skills in repair, tailoring and upcycling.
What will your organisation’s participation involve?
If you would like to be involved in this project, you will work closely with the MRWA’s Strategy & Development team to develop and deliver this initiative. We are looking to commission a forward thinking, efficient and sustainable organisation to launch and manage this project.
Taking part
Taking part will involve the following:
Helping us link in with local community groups and spaces –As you will have good connections within the community, we would welcome your help in linking with residents, venues, and organisations to spread the key waste reduction messages and deliver a range of sewing workshops.
Delivering sewing skills/textile waste reduction workshop(s) – You will be expected to plan and deliver sewing workshops in up to six districts, depending on your application. These sessions can be tailored to your audience and venue as long as they promote textile reuse and sewing skills. You will be responsible for the complete management and delivery of the workshops including the sourcing of materials, venues, staffing and attendees.
Helping us share the message of reuse, recycling and promoting a circular economy – You will create and develop resources and toolkits that support the message of textile reuse and recycling that are suitable for your target audience and complement your event. This could include;
- Promotional materials such as posters and leaflets
- Educational resources such as how to guides, tips and tricks etc.
- Photographs and social media content
- Attendee questionnaires or feedback forms
Collect data to evaluate effectiveness – To instigate behaviour change we need to understand attitudes and barriers. We’d like you to gather information from groups prior to workshop delivery and on completion of participation to determine the effectiveness and response to sessions like this.
Produce project evaluation – Following completion of the project(s) you should produce a report which should include the following:
- Summary of the project, including outcomes.
- Attendance figures and feedback from staff and attendees.
- Any data around the number of items repaired, tailored or upcycled.
- Successes and learning points from this project.
- Recommendations for how we can improve or develop this project.
Project outcomes
We’re looking for the following outcomes for this project:
- Delivery of a minimum of one textile project per provider to cover each of the six districts (multiple appointees may be required). This project should focus on encouraging lasting skill development and legacy elements.
- Development of resources and activities that support the message of utilising sewing skills to encourage textile reuse.
- Direct involvement in LCR Repair Week 2027 encouraging fabric repair and reuse, hosting events and supporting the wider repair message.
- Impact reporting such as community response, number of textiles utilised and attendance of each event.
- Generate Social Value
- Evaluation/end of project report
How your organisation can benefit from taking part in the project
- Help instigate behaviour change – We want to shift from a linear to a circular economy, and minimise waste across the LCR, to do this successfully we engage with residents and work in partnership with community groups and organisations.
- Embed reuse and circular economy thinking within your organisation – Develop new/ additional skills and resources within your organisation.
- Provide opportunities for people to access clothing and learn about upcycling and reuse – Help support understand of waste issues within the textile industry and importantly how we can work together locally to tackle these issues while supporting our community.
- Develop new partnerships and networking links – build up relationships with a range of Local Authorities, Community Groups, Education providers and other organisations.
- Provide social value for the LCR communities – we’re looking to reach a range of individuals and age groups including forgotten communities, and to maximise social value. We will ask you to provide us with specific metric to support the calculation of this.
Funding linked to the Project
Organisations can apply to cover between one and six districts, with each application being scored in line with the criteria and awarded based on best value for each district. This may result in some districts remaining un-funded after the first round, and in this case we will re-issue funding for the remaining specified districts.
Up to £4,000 can be awarded for each district, with a maximum of £24,000 for an organisation wishing to cover all areas of the Liverpool City Region. This funding must cover all associated costs including venue hire, event management fees, materials, and any additional expenses. As per policy all payments will be paid on completion of the project.
When will the project be delivered?
These sewing workshops can run at any time between appointment and February 2027. With the final reports due for submission end of March 2027.
| Published | 31st July 2026 |
| Deadline for tenders | 28th August 2026 |
| Supplier notified of award of contract | By w/e 4th September 2026 |
| Project Initiation Meeting | w/c 7th September 2026 |
| Project End Report Due | 31st March 2027 |
Evaluating Applications
We will score applications received based on:
- 50% Meeting project objectives
- 40% Finance
- 10% Evaluation
If no applications are deemed appropriate (minimum scores above 65/100) during evaluation, MRWA reserve the right to re-list this opportunity to ensure the correct partner organisation is allocated for this funding.
How to apply
To apply, applicants must complete this application form.
Any applications or queries linked to your application should be submitted via email to chauntelle.bowler@merseysidewda.gov.uk.
All applications must be submitted by 5pm, Friday 28th August 2026.
We advise all applicants to reach out and will support all interested parties to ensure the best projects for Liverpool City Region.