With new government funding models on the horizon and mandatory requirements around social value, 2026 is the moment for councils to think bigger, invest in efficiency and grass-root impact.
One system. One clear approach. One shared way to deliver, track and evidence impact across procurement and the new Local Growth Fund following now closing Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councils are being asked to achieve hyper-local impact, ensure their locally relevant VCSEs fair access to opportunities, and clearly show what difference public money is making. Doing this through multiple disconnected tools is no longer sustainable. Doing this with local charity listings or instant donations sites does not meet the outcome targets for change.
One Platform for Procurement, Grants – and Undestanding Impact with comparable data
whatimpact’s National Social Value Marketplace® brings social value delivery into one connected system—supporting public sector procurement, government grant-making and impact reporting in one place.
The platform is not just a matchmaking system for public sector related social value, but a management system to cater social value planning, volunteering management and impact reporting – all tagged with council and contact number for auditable evidence and impact.
Already trusted by councils, suppliers and VCSEs across the UK, the platform has supported the delivery of over £2.5 million in Shared Prosperity Fund and wellbeing grants – now ready to harness the well-perceived grant-management system alining with GOV outcome targets to Local Growth Fund goals. It enables councils to:
- Run funding programmes end-to-end form promotion, application evaluation, signing grant-agreements and reporting on impact
- Connect suppliers with local VCSEs through resource offers and requests, all within council areas with proven local impact
- Monitor delivery in real time, managing communication and delivery
- Report outcomes clearly and consistently with a focus on verifying inputs and outputs, but clearly evidencing outcomes, impact, case studies and testimonials allowing AI to crunch the data on annual level for overall analysis of programmes and procurement results.
Hyper-Local Reach, Equal Opportunity
whatimpact ensures funding and social value activity reaches grass-roots organisations, not just those already well-connected. Through partnerships with CVSs, schools and local networks, councils can engage:
- Charities and social enterprises – Locally based and locally relevant
- Community groups and clubs
- Schools and local initiatives
- This creates fairer access, stronger partnerships and impact where it matters most.
Ready for the Local Growth Fund
As SPF transitions to the Local Growth Fund, councils need systems that clearly link activity to outcomes. whatimpact aligns reporting to national frameworks while keeping the process simple for VCSEs and suppliers.
A Simpler Way Forward
In 2026, councils have an opportunity to move away from fragmented approaches and choose one system that delivers:
- Efficiency
- Transparency
- Equal opportunity
- Clear understanding of impact
whatimpact helps councils turn social value ambition into real, measurable change locally, regionally and nationally.
We call procurement, economic development, community wellbeing and social care officials to join forces for choosing a holistic system that transforms the impact on the ground. Book a call to discuss your council needs.
