Why Social Procurement is the Way Forward

As a social impact brand, we love to see organisations creating positive change in the corporate space. Thanks to the organisations we’re shouting out today, we have been able to supply various businesses with our teas - in turn making their supply chains more sustainable and ethical too. These are the initiatives you need to know about, whether you’re a buyer or a supplier, if you’re motivated to create positive change!

SupplyChange

SupplyChange is wholly committed to creating better supply chains by adding impact to procurement. Led by Beth Pilgrim and Aoise Keogan-Nooshabadi, this organisation makes social procurement easier, faster and more impactful for any business.

SupplyChange gives buyers insights on how to build out their social procurement strategy, including all stakeholders, and report on their successes with impact measurement and analysis. Meanwhile, they give suppliers more access to procurement opportunities, working with a range of organisations across the public and private sectors. Find out more here.

Social Enterprise UK

Launched in 2016, Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge works to support corporate partners to create a wider social impact through procurement.

SEUK helps large businesses to engage with a range of innovative suppliers, with a focus on sustainability and diversity, and social enterprise suppliers to grow their revenues and impact by working with big corporations.

The Buy Social Corporate Challenge began with 7 Founding Partners and now has over 30, across a wide range of industries. Now in its seventh year, over £255m has been spent with social enterprises by corporate partners with £91m being spent in 2021 alone. The Challenge has also helped create 2,700 jobs – many of these going to individuals who face barriers to the labour market.

Read more here.

MSDUK

MSDUK work with British Ethnic Minority Businesses, championing them and connecting them with leading global corporations that are committed to building diverse and inclusive supply chains. Moreover, they facilitate training sessions for business leaders in a range of different areas, from marketing to pitching. You can join the MSDUK network as a supplier or a buyer here.

WeConnect

WeConnect is a global network, connecting woman-owned businesses to buyers. By breaking down the barriers faced by women, WeConnect helps to connect female business owners to one another, and established buyers all over the world. There are over 17,000 women-owned businesses in the network, across over 135 countries. Join here.

Social procurement creates better outcomes for society, the environment and businesses, prioritising social and environmental outcomes alongside financial factors. Getting involved with one of the above organisations is great way to promote your business or support diverse and impactful businesses!