Call for Tender: Marketing Services for the Critical History Tours Project

The project is seeking to appoint an external marketing agency to support the delivery of a coordinated marketing and communications strategy for the Critical History Tours project in 2027. The appointed provider will work closely with a Marketing Lead, a Marketing Assistant and a Designer from the project. They will strategise the plan for maximising the reach and impact of project outputs across European audiences.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on a mission-led project with interesting educational outputs which will help stimulate growth in the industry. 

About the Critical History Tours Project

The Critical History Tours (CHT) Project is an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership (2025–2027), co-funded by the European Union and led by a consortium of six partner organisations:

• EuroClio (The European Association of History Educators)
• Uncomfortable Oxford
• ATRIUM – The Architecture of Totalitarian Regimes in the XX Century in Europe’s Urban Memory Cultural Route
• LRE Foundation – Liberation Route Europe Foundation
• The Balkan Museum Network
• ISHA – The International Students of History Association

The project aims to develop a professional training framework for delivering inclusive, critically engaged heritage walking tours across Europe. Its outputs include:

• A map of currently existing Critical History Tours in Europe
• A lecture: ‘What is a Critical History Tour’
• A workshop: ‘Why do we need Critical History Tours?’
• A course: ‘How to develop Critical History Tours’ and associated materials, including the development of two new tours, and several video-recorded expert interviews.
• A podcast: Off the Beaten Past: Becoming an Intentional Tourist in Europe

The project reaches a broad audience: public history practitioners, heritage professionals, educators, tour operators, and lifelong learners across Europe. It is currently in its second year, with Course 1 (Ștei, Romania) to be delivered in October 2026 and Course 2 (The Hague, Netherlands) scheduled for June 2027.

The project website has a comprehensive overview of the project and is currently collecting sign-ups to a newsletter mailing list for interested participants.

Scope of Work 

This tender covers four work packages, to be delivered between 01 Dec 2026 to 30 Nov 2027

Key Deliverables:

• Initial marketing strategy document
• Conduct an Audience Analysis and create a list of relevant customer profiles for the project
• 500+ attendees per talk & 1000 views of our pre-recorded talk
• 200+ attendees at the workshop
• At least 50 applicants to the course
• 1000+ new subscribers to the Critical History Tours mailing list
• Draft copy for 10+ newsletters to be sent out to subscribers
• 500 podcast listens by October 2027
• In collaboration with the Designer, review and update the CHT webpage for SEO and AI searchability
• Develop and integrate one lead magnet for the CHT webpage for ongoing visibility of project outputs
• Draft final report and recommendations for long-term marketing strategy for the Project

This is a collaborative contract where you will work closely with the Marketing Lead, Designer, and Marketing Assistant for all deliverables.

Work Package 1 – Reporting and Communications

• Create an initial comprehensive strategy and implementation plan, to be delivered to the Marketing Lead for review within five weeks of beginning the project 
• Remain in regular communication with the Marketing Lead, Designer, and Marketing Assistant throughout the project
• Communicate insights and progress on deliverables
• Draft final report and recommendations for long-term marketing strategy for the project
  • Participate in a final project debrief with the Project Manager and relevant members of the Project Consortium in Nov 2027

Work Package 2 – Event promotions

• Develop an audience targeting strategy to reach the target audience of heritage and museum professionals across Europe 
• In collaboration with Marketing Lead, execute a targeted marketing campaign promoting the upcoming events for the project
• Work with the Designer to create campaign assets (social media graphics, email banners, landing page copy) for deliverables, including a partner communication toolkit and advertising campaign templates
  • Must have experience with Google Ads

Work Package 3 – Audience & Mailing List Growth

• Develop and execute a subscriber acquisition strategy for the CHT project newsletter
• Design a lead magnet (resources, tools, or content offers) using project outputs (videos, tour resources, course materials, design assets) for continued subscribers after project end
• Work with Marketing Lead and Designer to optimise sign-up flows and landing pages
  • Ideally would have experience with Zoho Forms and Zoho Campaigns

Work Package 4 – Dissemination of Project outputs

• Conduct an Audience Analysis and create a list of relevant customer profiles for the project
• Develop a launch and marketing strategy for the Off the Beaten Past podcast, including platform optimisation recommendations (titles, descriptions, SEO, episode tagging)
• Advise and support the Designer on project webpage SEO improvements and content strategy for the CHT project’s long-term web presence, sharability for target audiences and searchability, especially AI searchability
  • Please note that expertise in WordPress is necessary.
• Develop a continuing marketing strategy for course material dissemination with institutions across Europe actively engaged in critical history work
• Work with Marketing Lead and Designer to develop a marketing toolkit and strategy for continued social media campaigns and partner communications, after project end
• Strategise and help implement long-term network development from the project

Timeline

All deliverables must comply with Erasmus+ visibility requirements, including the use of the EU co-funded logo and disclaimer on all publicly disseminated materials.

Budget

The total budget available for this contract is up to €10,000 (including VAT). Applicants are invited to propose how they would allocate this budget across the four work packages and across the contract period. Value for money will be assessed as part of the selection criteria.

Payment will be made in instalments at a schedule negotiated with the project manager (EuroClio). The appointed agency will be required to provide itemised invoices for the purposes of Erasmus+ financial reporting.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Demonstrated track record of marketing experience with cultural, heritage, education, or public sector markets. 
• Experience working with the following digital tools: 
  • Zoho Forms
  • Zoho Campaigns
  • Zoho CRM
  • WordPress
  • Google Ads
• Availability to work within the project timeline and ability to meet deadlines as agreed.
• Willingness and ability to have open and ongoing communication with the Marketing Lead and Project Manager.
• Willingness and ability to complete the tasks within the budget.
• On-time and complete submission.

Selection Criteria

• Quality and relevance of the proposal
• Value for money – budget allocation relative to expected outputs and reach
• Clarity, ambition, and feasibility of the proposal
• Relevant skills and experience of the individuals who will work on the project

How to apply?

Applicants should submit a tender of no more than 5 pages (excluding CVs and Portfolios) comprising:

1. A brief introduction to your organisation or practice (max. 200 words)
2. Your proposed approach to each of the four work packages, including specific tactics and channels
3. A proposed budget breakdown across workstreams and timeline
4. Two or three examples of relevant previous work, with measurable outcomes where available
5. Names and brief profiles of the team members who would lead this work

All tenders must be submitted by Friday, 06 November 2026 at 17:00 CET to secretariat@euroclio.eu with the subject line “Application Tender Critical History Tours Project”.

Questions about the tender may be directed to Paula O’Donohoe at secretariat@euroclio.eu!