News / October 28, 2025

Help Shape the Future of Spaces+Places

Request For Proposals

As we move into the next exciting phase of the Spaces+Places community asset investment project, we’re inviting Requests for Proposals to help develop two business cases.

The resident-led ideas were endorsed by local people and approved by our board in September. Now we’re looking for experienced individuals to work with the Neighbourhood Stewards – who came up with the ideas – over the next month to create detailed business cases for the two shortlisted ideas.

The business cases will be presented to the BD Giving Board in December 2025 to inform where a significant investment will go.

About Spaces+Places

In 2024, we recruited a group of local people to build their understanding of local needs and learn about community spaces so they can recommend how to invest £1 million in community assets.

That group, known as Neighbourhood Stewards, have mapped what’s already on offer in the borough, analysed local data, surveyed local people and shortlisted two ideas for investment.

The investment ideas:

Barking & Dagenham Run Festival: A community running event that celebrates health, inclusion, and local pride.
BD Innovation & Creative Hub: A multi-purpose, community-led space designed to nurture creativity, enterprise, and opportunity, particularly for young people.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking business-minded collaborators who can work alongside residents to turn these ideas into viable, fundable proposals. You’ll need to translate local ambition into a business case complete with clear costings, projections, and investment asks.

This is a short, focused commission through November and early December with regular check-ins (online or in person) and collaborative working sessions with the Neighbourhood Stewards.