Proposals Invited for National Launch Event Delivery Partner
An Opportunity to design and deliver a National Launch Event.
Overview
For Inter Faith Week 2026 (8 – 15 November), the National Steering Group is seeking to partner with a local or regional interfaith or community organisation to design and deliver a National Launch Event in the week leading up to Inter Faith Week, with a budget of £8,000.
We are inviting organisations with the capacity, networks, and reach to deliver a successful launch event that reaches new audiences and deepens engagement for Inter Faith Week.
Background
Inter Faith Week is an annual initiative held each November that has been running in England since 2009. It aims to strengthen interfaith relations, increase awareness of the diversity and contributions of faith communities across the UK, and foster understanding between people of different religious and non-religious beliefs.
Since 2024, Inter Faith Week has been coordinated by a National Steering Group comprising several regional and national interfaith organisations, led by the Faith & Belief Forum and the United Religions Initiative UK. Work has been supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
IFW 2026 delivery will focus on engaging new audiences, in light of the ‘Bursting the Bubble: Recommendations for enhancing Inter Faith Week in England’ report. The theme for 2026 is ‘Lighting the Way for a Shared Future’. Inspired by the symbolism of light across faiths and traditions, including the spirit of Diwali (taking place on the first day of IFW), the theme reflects a shared belief that even in challenging times, communities can come together to build understanding, trust and friendships.
Alongside working groups on communications, community engagement, schools and colleges engagement, the National Steering Group is seeking to partner with a local or regional interfaith or community organisation [CA1] to deliver the National Launch Event.
Launch Event
In 2025, a national launch event was held to open Inter Faith Week – a first of its kind in England. Hosted by Faiths Forum for London a few days before IFW began, the event was youth-led and creative, featuring speeches, panels, workshop discussions, and interactive activities.
For 2026, another bold, high-profile national launch event will be hosted in a region outside London, with a greater focus on securing media coverage to help promote IFW nationally.
This flagship moment will set the tone for the Week, bringing together key stakeholders and helping to engage new audiences. It will position Inter Faith Week as a meaningful and inclusive moment in the national calendar that resonates far beyond the traditional “interfaith bubble” through cross-sector engagement and diverse representation.
Objectives:
Deliver a national launch event for at least 150 people that is visible, inclusive, and impactful beyond the “interfaith bubble”
Inspire broad stakeholder buy-in from civil society, policymakers, and faith leaders
Showcase the cross-sector interfaith work happening in your area, for a national audience
Raise public understanding of the role of interfaith engagement in building stronger communities
Secure media and public recognition of the importance of interfaith relations in the UK
Partnership Opportunity
We are looking to work with a partner organisation outside London that can:
Design the concept and format of the National Launch Event
Lead on event delivery
Bring experience of delivering large-scale, high-quality, engaging events
Contribute speakers, networks, and audiences
Work collaboratively with the National Steering Group on content, messaging, and tone
Lead post-event follow-up (e.g. attendee feedback, debriefs, post-event comms)
We are particularly interested in partners who can demonstrate:
Strong event design and delivery experience
Alignment with the aims and values of Inter Faith Week
Creativity and ambition in engaging audiences beyond the interfaith bubble
A collaborative and flexible approach
Communications and storytelling expertise
We will offer:
£8,000 budget to cover staffing and delivery costs
Strategic collaboration with the National Steering Group
Promotion through Inter Faith Week national channels
Alignment with Inter Faith Week branding and messaging
Profile and visibility as a key national partner
Application and Judging Process
If you are interested in partnering with us to deliver the Inter Faith Week 2026 National Launch Event, please submit a short proposal (2 X A4 pages max) by email to contact@interfaithweek.org, including:
A brief overview of your organisation and relevant experience in event design and delivery
Initial ideas for the format, concept, or approach to the launch event
How would you engage local media, and what would be your contribution to national media coverage
How would you engage cross-sector partners and attendance
A draft budget
Any relevant networks, speakers, or audiences you could bring to the event
Proposals will be accepted from Friday 3 July to Sunday 2 August. Proposals will be reviewed by the Project Manager. Three proposals will be shortlisted and presented to the National Steering Group for a final vote, with clear conflict-of-interest procedures in place. A final decision will be communicated by the end of August, for work to begin in September.
If you have questions or need help with your proposal, please contact the IFW Team by emailing contact@interfaithweek.org