Here at whatimpact we’re constantly improving our platform experience, making it easier for government suppliers to deliver social value by partnering with locally relevant VCSEs.
Our comprehensive matchmaking platform, originally launched in 2018, will now be an open access for public, private, and third sector organisations to use for free, with the choice to upgrade to premium features available.
Our platform provides free access to robust, up-to-date information on VCSEs across the UK. With over 250,00 data-rich charity profiles, government suppliers can simplify finding and partnering with VCSEs aligned with their goals.
Many government suppliers have signed up for our platform and are already reaping the benefits.
This February, we’re launching our national social value marketplace to make delivering social value quick and easy.
Overcoming Challenges in Delivering Social Value
UK government suppliers are increasingly required to deliver social value as part of public sector procurement contracts. The Government Social Value Model (SVM) mandates that suppliers contribute to local communities by supporting voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs).
However, finding locally relevant, high-impact partners remains a significant challenge for many suppliers.
This is where whatimpact’s social value platform can help. This month, whatimpact is launching a National Social Value Marketplace, an open-access digital platform designed to revolutionise how suppliers connect with VCSEs.
This platform will offer efficient matchmaking, enabling suppliers to integrate social value seamlessly into their procurement strategies.
Common Challenges in Delivering Social Value
While the intent behind the Government Social Value Model is clear, suppliers face several barriers in implementing it effectively:
Lack of Visibility of VCSEs
Government suppliers often struggle to identify locally relevant VCSEs aligned with their contractual social value commitments. With thousands of charities, social enterprises, and community groups operating across the UK, navigating the landscape is time-consuming and inefficient.
Complex Partnering Process
Once potential VCSE partners are identified, establishing a partnership involves lengthy negotiations, due diligence, and contractual complexities. Suppliers require a streamlined process to ensure effective collaboration.
Regardless of your location in the UK, our platform is designed to streamline this process.
Limited Tracking and Reporting Tools
Many suppliers find it challenging to track and report on their social value contributions. Without transparent impact data, proving compliance with public sector procurement regulations becomes difficult.
whatimpact provides excellent reporting tools to make it easier for VCSEs to create comprehensive reports.
Unequal Opportunities for VCSEs
Smaller, grassroots VCSEs often lack the resources, networks and visibility to engage with large government suppliers. This creates an imbalance where only larger, well-established organisations secure partnerships, while others struggle to gain recognition. With our National Social Value Marketplace, we look to change that.
How whatimpact Addresses These Challenges
whatimpact has been at the forefront of social value matchmaking since its launch in 2018. With our new National Social Value Marketplace, our platform offers innovative solutions to overcome the above challenges.
Our centralised hub eliminates the need for suppliers to search across multiple databases and directories, saving valuable time and resources.
AI-Powered Matchmaking and Smart Filtering
Our platform provides advanced AI-driven matchmaking, helping suppliers find VCSE partners based on location, cause, beneficiary type, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
A hyper-local interactive map enables suppliers to filter potential partners and connect with those best suited to their social value commitments.
Offer-Based Matching System for Seamless Collaboration
whatimpact introduces an offer-based matching system, where government suppliers can publish their social value commitments directly on the platform. VCSEs can then apply for partnerships, ensuring an efficient, transparent, and mutually beneficial process.
This reduces negotiation time, as VCSEs already understand the supplier’s specific requirements and expectations before engaging in discussions.
Free-to-Use for Both Government Suppliers and VCSEs
Unlike traditional brokerage services, the whatimpact.com platform is completely free for government suppliers and VCSEs. This removes financial barriers and ensures that even small community groups can participate without additional costs.
Government-Verified Platform with Robust Impact Tracking
One of the biggest challenges in public sector procurement is impact reporting. whatimpact.com provides a comprehensive tracking and reporting system, ensuring that suppliers can quantify and showcase their contributions.
VCSEs also benefit from better recognition, as their impact reports are transparently shared with government suppliers and stakeholders.
The Future of Social Value in Public Procurement
With the launch of our National Social Value Marketplace in February 2025, we look to transform the procurement landscape.
By removing inefficiencies, increasing transparency, and assisting in meaningful collaborations, our platform will empower government suppliers to deliver genuine social value while enabling VCSEs to access new partnership opportunities.
For government suppliers looking to simplify their social value delivery, whatimpact offers a trusted, government-verified solution that ensures equitable, efficient, and impactful partnerships.
For more information on our social value marketplace, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
