National Trust-MEE-Midlands Nature Funder Landscape Research, Governance Recommendations
THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTYEstimated Value
£50,000 – £0
Deadline
14 July 2026
Published
15 June 2026
Type
services
Overview
The National Trust is commissioning a one-off consultancy to deliver Midlands Nature Funder Landscape Research, Governance Recommendations and Resources. The work will help Midlands Nature understand the current and future nature finance landscape across the Midlands, including demand for nature finance products, relevant policy and regulatory drivers, and implications of devolution and local authority reorganisation.
It will also develop recommendations on governance and operating models, sector readiness for investment, engagement with investors and policymakers, and practical tools and frameworks to support investable nature projects. The commission will be delivered as a coherent phased programme across market and policy research, strategy and governance recommendations, and tools/frameworks application.
The contract is anticipated to start on 3 August 2026, with Phase 1 outputs due by 31 October 2026 and Phases 2 and 3 due by 31 January 2027. The work covers the Midlands region of England and depends on effective engagement with Midlands Nature partners, policymakers, investors and the Community of Practice.
AI Analysis
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The National Trust wants to hire a consultant or consultancy firm to research how nature finance (green investment products) works across the Midlands, and recommend how to set up governance structures and tools to help local projects attract investment. The research will cover current market gaps, policy drivers, local government changes, and investor readiness across the region.
Requirements
- Ability to conduct market and policy research on nature finance landscape
- Experience developing governance and operating model recommendations
- Capability to assess sector readiness for investment
- Skills in stakeholder engagement with investors, policymakers, and community networks
- Ability to design practical tools and frameworks for investable nature projects
- Understanding of Midlands regional context, devolution, and local authority reorganisation implications
- Capacity to deliver phased programme across three workstreams (market research, strategy/governance, tools/frameworks)
- No specific certifications or qualifications stated in notice — check full tender documents
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Conduct landscape research on current and future nature finance products and demand across the Midlands region
- Analyse policy and regulatory drivers affecting nature finance
- Assess implications of devolution and local authority reorganisation on nature finance opportunities
- Develop governance and operating model recommendations for Midlands Nature
- Evaluate sector readiness for investment across nature projects
- Design engagement strategies with investors and policymakers
- Create practical tools and frameworks to help nature projects become investment-ready and attractive to funders
- Deliver Phase 1 market and policy research outputs by 31 October 2026
- Deliver Phases 2 and 3 (strategy recommendations and tools/frameworks) by 31 January 2027
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a research and strategy consultancy contract, not a delivery of physical goods or services — focus on understanding what 'outputs' and 'frameworks' mean to the National Trust (expect reports, models, toolkits, and recommendations, not products).
- 2The contract is phased: understand that Phase 1 (research) is due much earlier (31 October 2026) than Phases 2 and 3 (31 January 2027) — pace your team and budget accordingly across these milestones.
- 3'Midlands Nature' is a partnership or initiative the National Trust is part of — you'll need to engage with multiple stakeholders (partners, policymakers, investors, community groups), so budget time for interviews, workshops, and consultation activities.
- 4Look for the detailed tender documents to find: the exact budget, reporting schedule, how success is measured, who the key stakeholders are you must interview, and whether subcontracting is allowed.
- 5Watch for jargon: 'nature finance landscape' means the ecosystem of funding products available for environmental projects; 'investable projects' means nature conservation projects structured so investors want to fund them; 'governance models' means how Midlands Nature should be organised to support this work.
Tips for Small Businesses
- This is a consultancy contract well-suited to small strategy or research firms, or freelance consultants with expertise in environmental finance, policy analysis, or regional development — you don't need to be a huge corporate to bid, but you do need relevant experience and the ability to manage stakeholder engagement across a region.
- Consider partnering with other specialists: if you're strong on policy research but weak on finance structures, or vice versa, forming a consortium or subcontracting specific workstreams to experts can make your bid stronger and more credible.
- Emphasise your understanding of the Midlands region specifically, relationships with local authorities, investor networks, or environmental sector experience in your bid — the National Trust will value local knowledge and existing connections that help you deliver stakeholder engagement efficiently.
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THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTYKey Dates
Published
15 June 2026
Submission deadline
14 July 2026
Notice type
Contract
Source
contracts finder
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