Calls for evidence
Government departments, regulatory bodies, local authorities and independent inquiries use Citizen Space to run calls for evidence processes that are clear, structured and accessible.
Using our citizen engagement platform, organisations can easily gather detailed information and submissions from stakeholders, experts, other interested parties and the public on complex or sensitive topics.
Collect structured submissions from experts, stakeholders, and the public on complex policy questions with a platform built for serious evidence gathering.
Why evidence gathering works better on Citizen Space
Get structured submissions, not just comments
Design submission forms that guide respondents to provide the evidence you actually need. Use different question types for different information - upload fields for supporting documents, text boxes for case studies, structured fields for quantitative data.
Make it easy for experts and the public to respond
Academics can upload research papers. Businesses can submit detailed case studies. Individuals can share lived experience. All through one accessible platform. With Citizen Space there's no login required which means lower barriers for one-off submissions.
Handle high volumes without losing control
When a call attracts thousands of responses, you need proper structure. See all submissions in one dashboard. Filter by respondent type or topic. Code themes across qualitative evidence. Export everything for detailed analysis. Turn months of manual processing into days.
Meet your transparency obligations
Publish calls for evidence with clear terms of reference. Show who responded (where appropriate). Publish evidence summaries or final reports. Demonstrate how submissions informed policy. Everything documented for accountability.
Keep sensitive evidence secure
Some evidence is confidential. Some respondents need anonymity. Handle both on the same platform with proper access controls. ISO 27001 certified security. GDPR-compliant data handling.
"The views, data and case studies we receive will be vital to helping to inform future government policy in this area including by better understanding the trade both at home and abroad."
Calls for evidence in action
From parliamentary inquiries to regulatory reviews, Citizen Space supports evidence gathering across government and public bodies. Run everything from call for sites to major policy reviews from one platform. Create templates for regular evidence-gathering processes and customise them for each new call.
Call for sites and local plan development
Invite landowners, developers, and communities to submit sites for consideration in local plans. Collect structured information about site suitability, constraints, and development potential. Handle hundreds of site submissions with attached plans and supporting evidence.
Public inquiry evidence
Collect written submissions, personal testimonies, and supporting documentation for statutory or independent public inquiries. Structure calls for evidence by inquiry workstream or theme. Manage confidential submissions securely alongside public evidence.
Policy development and review
Gather evidence from individuals, organisations, and experts to inform new policy proposals or review existing approaches. Collect quantitative data, qualitative case studies, and technical research all through structured submission forms.
Regulatory consultations
Request structured evidence from industry, experts, and affected parties on regulatory proposals. Collect impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and practical examples of how regulations would work in practice.
Parliamentary committee inquiries
Provide formal channels for organisations, experts, and the public to submit written evidence to select committees or All-Party Parliamentary Groups. Structure submissions around committee questions. Publish evidence as it's received.
Service evaluations and reviews
Gather detailed input from professionals, service users, and the public for major reviews of health, education, justice, or other public services. Collect both quantitative data about service performance and qualitative accounts of user experience.
How calls for evidence work on Citizen Space
- Publish your call: Set out clear questions or themes. Explain what evidence you need and in what format. Upload terms of reference and background documents. Make it clear who can respond and how evidence will be used.
- Reach the right people: Notify known experts and stakeholders by email. Publish for open submissions from anyone with relevant evidence. Different routes for different types of respondent, all feeding into one place.
- Collect structured submissions: Gather evidence through forms designed around your questions. Accept document uploads for detailed submissions. Collect both public and confidential evidence securely.
- Analyse and synthesise: Code themes across submissions. Identify evidence gaps. Export for detailed analysis. Build your evidence base systematically rather than piecing together disparate responses.
- Show how evidence was used: Publish evidence summaries (where appropriate). Demonstrate how submissions informed your policy, review findings, or recommendations. Close the loop with those who took time to provide evidence.
See how Citizen Space handles evidence gathering
Book a demo and we'll walk through your specific evidence-gathering needs - whether that's policy development, regulatory review, or formal inquiries.
