Invitation to tender: Exploring the Impact of Racism in Public Spaces on Equitable Employment Research Report & Employer Guide
The Open Doors Initiative (ODI) is inviting applications from external consultants, academics or organisations to undertake research and develop practical resources examining how racism in public spaces, including online environments and wider public discourse, impacts migrant employees' access to equitable employment.
The successful applicant will lead the research process, produce a practical guide for employers and support the development of training and public awareness materials based on the project's findings.
The tender process will close on Monday 16th November 2026
If you have any queries about the process, please contact Abdul at abdul@opendoorsinitiative.ie
Context
The Open Doors Initiative works with a range of employers including private businesses, semi-state bodies, government and other not for profit organisations to create pathways to equitable employment for people from underrepresented communities.
While many employers are committed to creating inclusive workplaces, external factors such as racism in public spaces, misinformation, discrimination and hostile public discourse continue to affect the experiences of many migrant employees. These experiences can impact an individual's confidence, wellbeing, sense of belonging and ability to access and sustain employment. Employers increasingly recognise that creating an inclusive workplace goes beyond internal policies and procedures. There is a growing need for practical guidance on understanding the wider social factors affecting migrant employees and how employers, managers, colleagues can respond effectively.
Through this project, the Open Doors Initiative aim to explore how racism experienced in public spaces, including online platforms, public services such as transport and amenities and others, affects an individual’s access and retain equitable employment and workplace inclusion. The project will identify practical actions employers can take to foster inclusion, respond to misinformation and contribute positively to social cohesion.
The research will be informed by the lived experiences of migrant communities, employer perspectives and engagement with key stakeholders across Ireland.
The Open Doors Initiative is delighted to have received funding as part of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s (IHREC) Human Rights and Equality Grant: 2026-2027, to deliver the project Promoting Anti-Racism Through Business-Led Integration
Tender Process & Project Details
The successful applicant will undertake a research project, engaging with migrant communities, Irish businesses and relevant stakeholders through focus groups, interviews and a survey as well as desk-based research. The findings will inform the development of a practical resource designed to support employers in creating more inclusive workplaces and responding constructively to the impact of racism and misinformation on employees.
The project should explore topics including, but not limited to:
- The impact of racism in public spaces and online environments on employment and workplace participation.
- The relationship between public discourse, misinformation and workplace inclusion.
- Barriers experienced by migrant employees before, during and after recruitment.
- Examples of good practice from employers and organisations promoting inclusion and social cohesion.
- Practical actions employers can take within the workplace to support employees experiencing racism or discrimination.
- Recommendations for strengthening inclusive workplace cultures and community cohesion.
- National and international examples of best practice.
There will be an expectation that the consultant facilitates focus groups and interviews with a diverse range of participants and designs and analyses survey data to inform the final recommendations.
Key Objective
To develop an evidence-based, practical resource that supports employers in understanding how racism in public spaces impacts all migrant employees and provides actionable recommendations for embedding anti-racism measures in the workplace and promoting social cohesion. This project is intended to produce practical and accessible resources rather than an academic publication. Outputs should be engaging, evidence-informed and suitable for employers of all sizes.
Research Questions:
- How does racism experienced outside and inside the workplace affect migrants’ confidence, wellbeing and ability to access and progress in employment?
- How do public attitudes, online discourse and misinformation influence recruitment decisions and workplace experiences?
- What challenges do employers face in recognising, preventing and responding to racism?
- What practical actions can employers implement to promote anti-racism, equitable employment and social integration?
Project Deliverables
The successful applicant will be expected to deliver:
- A review of relevant research in this area
- Facilitation and completion and analysis of primary research with relevant stakeholder
- Facilitation of focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders
- Design and analysis of surveys
- A report and practical employers guide outlining key findings informed by research and stakeholder engagement
- Content recommendations to support the development of employer training
- Content recommendations for public awareness materials
- Content from a lived-experienced advisory group
The final resources should be completed by May 2027
ODI will host and organise a public launch of the report, this is separate to the report budget and timeline.
Application Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
- Experience facilitating focus groups, research interviews and stakeholder engagement.
- Excellent report writing skills, using plain and accessible English.
- Experience producing high-quality research outputs to agreed deadlines.
- Knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion, migration, anti-racism, employment or related policy areas.
- This can also be from lived experience.
- Experience translating research into practical guidance and resources.
- Understanding of participatory approaches and engagement with people with lived experience.
- Capacity and confirmation that the applicant can deliver within the required timeframe.
| Assessment criterion | Score |
| Relevant experience and expertise | 30 |
| Proposed approach and understanding | 30 |
| Quality of previous work | 20 |
| Timeline and capacity to deliver | 10 |
| Cost and value for money | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
If you have some of the above requirements, but not all, please do still apply as this is not an exhaustive list.
If you would like to engage with this tender process, please email Abdul (abdul@opendoorsinitiative.ie) with the subject line: “Tender Application: Anti-Racism and Employment” and include the following:
- Your CV, or organisation profile, and details of relevant experience
- Examples of work completed
- A proposed methodology for undertaking the research
- A project timeline outlining key milestones (estimate eight months from engagement in October)
- Agreed dates for first draft, second draft and final draft- review and edits should be included in this time frame
- Details of the personnel who would deliver the project (if applying on behalf of an organisation)
- An itemised budget within the available budget of €12,000 (including VAT)
About The Open Doors Initiative
The Open Doors Initiative is made up of over 130 partner companies and supporting organisations who work alongside government to create pathways to equitable employability for people who are experiencing barriers.
ODI partner companies are committed to creating equitable and inclusive workplaces. They demonstrate this commitment by signing the Open Doors Initiative Pledge and actively participate in programmes that increase employment opportunities and workplace inclusion.
The Open Doors Initiative supports a wide range of communities, including:
- Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
- People with disabilities
- Members of the Traveller and Roma communities
- LGBTQIA+ communities
- People with experience of the criminal justice system
Through employer engagement, training and collaborative partnerships, the Open Doors Initiative continues to support employers in building workplaces where everyone has an equitable opportunity to succeed. We are committed to developing research that is informed by lived experience and is practical and forward thinking.
Our PURPOSE is to enable equitable access to employability for all marginalised people
Our VISION is of an inclusive Ireland, where diversity in business thrives and equitable measures are adopted to eliminate inequality so that everyone has fair access meaningful employability
Our MISSION is to guide those who are facing barriers to employability and to support companies through collaboration and innovation