Local Government Association is using Delta eSourcing to run this tender exercise
| Notice Summary |
|---|
| Title: | GB-London: Research on the impact of terminology on community engagement and counter-extremism |
| Notice type: | Competitive Contract Notice |
| Authority: | Local Government Association |
| Nature of contract: | Not applicable |
| Procedure: | Not applicable |
| Short Description: | The LGA’s work includes partnering with the Special Interest Group on Countering Extremism (SIGCE); a sector-led local authority network co-chaired by Leeds and Luton councils and funded by the LGA. The SIGCE’s working group on faith-based extremism (FBEWG) is looking to commission a focussed objective research piece via the LGA to explore issues around community engagement and terminology in the counter-extremism space. Concerns have been raised by some councils that the use of the term ‘Islamist’ may be a barrier to productive community engagement with Muslim communities, especially at a local level, and that this might hamper local authorities’ efforts to build cohesion and resilience across local areas, counter extremism and deliver Prevent. We are seeking an external provider to explore these issues in more depth and report back on their findings to the FBWEG. Effective community engagement has long been identified as a key component in councils’ work on community cohesion, counter-extremism and delivering the Prevent duty. Concerns have been raised by some however that the terminology adopted in national and local policy and by agency practitioners working in this space may have a significant impact on this work. In particular, there are some concerns that the use of the term ‘Islamist extremism’ (and related terms): •may appear to validate (unsupported) links between politicised and extreme religious ideology and majority religious practices •has no equivalent for politically motivated extremism claiming justification or arising in association with other religions •can give rise to confusion beyond practitioners and policy makers, creating misunderstanding, and potential and actual adverse and unforeseen consequences (see below). This research is aimed at exploring whether, and to what extent, evidence suggests this may be the case, how this may be reflected in practice, and if so, what the potential adverse impacts may be on local authorities’ work on community engagement and counter-extremism. For instance, (but not necessarily limited to) the extent to which this may: •lend weight to views from some that certain communities may be disproportionately and unfairly targeted by counter-extremism and counter-terrorism policies •contribute to a sense of grievance that legitimate political organisation may be viewed through an extremism lens •be perceived as linking whole communities to extremism, leading to mistrust and a fear that by engaging with those who use that term the community is endorsing that perception •aggravate suspicion, resentment and confusion leading to disengagement •that the above sentiments might be exploited by various groups seeking to further their own political agendas, creating additional barriers to engagement. We are seeking an external contractor with appropriate expertise to undertake research into these concerns and potential consequences and report on their findings. |
| Published: | 27/11/2020 13:09 |
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1. Title: GB-London: Research on the impact of terminology on community engagement and counter-extremism
2. Awarding Authority:
Local Government Association/IDeA
18 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ, United Kingdom
Tel. 0746 4652 786, Email: jordanne.mckenzie-blythe@local.gov.uk
Contact: Jordanne McKenzie-Blythe, Attn: Rachel Duke
3. Contract Type: Services
Sub Type: Research and development services.
4. Description: Research and development services and related consultancy services. The LGA’s work includes partnering with the Special Interest Group on Countering Extremism (SIGCE); a sector-led local authority network co-chaired by Leeds and Luton councils and funded by the LGA.
The SIGCE’s working group on faith-based extremism (FBEWG) is looking to commission a focussed objective research piece via the LGA to explore issues around community engagement and terminology in the counter-extremism space. Concerns have been raised by some councils that the use of the term ‘Islamist’ may be a barrier to productive community engagement with Muslim communities, especially at a local level, and that this might hamper local authorities’ efforts to build cohesion and resilience across local areas, counter extremism and deliver Prevent. We are seeking an external provider to explore these issues in more depth and report back on their findings to the FBWEG.
Effective community engagement has long been identified as a key component in councils’ work on community cohesion, counter-extremism and delivering the Prevent duty. Concerns have been raised by some however that the terminology adopted in national and local policy and by agency practitioners working in this space may have a significant impact on this work.
In particular, there are some concerns that the use of the term ‘Islamist extremism’ (and related terms):
•may appear to validate (unsupported) links between politicised and extreme religious ideology and majority religious practices
•has no equivalent for politically motivated extremism claiming justification or arising in association with other religions
•can give rise to confusion beyond practitioners and policy makers, creating misunderstanding, and potential and actual adverse and unforeseen consequences (see below).
This research is aimed at exploring whether, and to what extent, evidence suggests this may be the case, how this may be reflected in practice, and if so, what the potential adverse impacts may be on local authorities’ work on community engagement and counter-extremism. For instance, (but not necessarily limited to) the extent to which this may:
•lend weight to views from some that certain communities may be disproportionately and unfairly targeted by counter-extremism and counter-terrorism policies
•contribute to a sense of grievance that legitimate political organisation may be viewed through an extremism lens
•be perceived as linking whole communities to extremism, leading to mistrust and a fear that by engaging with those who use that term the community is endorsing that perception
•aggravate suspicion, resentment and confusion leading to disengagement
•that the above sentiments might be exploited by various groups seeking to further their own political agendas, creating additional barriers to engagement.
We are seeking an external contractor with appropriate expertise to undertake research into these concerns and potential consequences and report on their findings.
5. CPV Codes:
73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services.
6. NUTS Codes :
UKI - LONDON
7. Main Site or Location of Works, Main Place of Delivery or Main Place of Performance: LONDON,
8. Reference Attributed by the Awarding Authority:
9. Estimated Value of Requirement: Category L: Below 10K
Currency: GBP
10. Deadline for Expression of Interest: 16/12/2020 09:00:00
11. Address to which they must be sent:
Not Provided
12. Other Information:
Other Information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-GB-London:-Research-on-the-impact-of-terminology-on-community-engagement-and-counter-extremism/8K8Q7HPT43
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/8K8Q7HPT43
TKR-20201127-PRO-17431744
Suitable for VCO: No
Procedure Type:OPEN
Period of Work Start date: 21/12/2020
Period of Work End date: 26/03/2021
Is this a Framework Agreement?: no