Social value has become an important part of the construction industry, particularly for companies involved in public sector procurement.
With government contracts requiring measurable contributions to communities, businesses must find meaningful ways to deliver social value.
One of the most effective methods is partnering with Charities, Community Groups and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), which have deep-rooted connections with local communities and a clear social mission. However, navigating this landscape and ensuring compliance with procurement standards can be challenging.
This is where whatimpact comes in. As an open-access National Social Value Marketplace, our platform streamlines partnerships between government suppliers and VCSEs, ensuring better matchmaking and providing validated impact reporting.
Why Social Value Matters in Construction
Social value isn’t just about traditional corporate social responsibility; it is measuring your commitment to improving the well-being of society and the environment. A true focus on impact and outcomes.
The UK Government’s Social Value Model (SVM), introduced in 2021, requires suppliers bidding for public contracts to demonstrate tangible contributions in areas such as:
- Employment and skills development. Supporting local job creation and training programmes.
- Community engagement. Investing in local initiatives and charities.
- Environmental responsibility. Reducing waste, promoting sustainability, and improving biodiversity.
- Encouraging diversity. Supporting underrepresented groups and social enterprises. This is one of our main aims, with our platform committed to driving change through equal opportunity.
Running a construction company can be highly demanding, and identifying the right VCSE partners can be a time-intensive process. That’s why our platform is designed to simplify and enhance the delivery of social value. By saving time and using whatimpact.com, you can efficiently collaborate with VCSEs that upskill local workforces, support disadvantaged communities, and provide sustainable solutions.
Best VCSEs for the Construction Industry
Choosing the right VCSE partner depends on your company’s social value objectives and the needs of the communities you work within. However, here is a list of VCSEs for construction-related social value:
- Employment and Training Organisations
Construction companies often engage with VCSEs that provide skills training, apprenticeships and employment support for disadvantaged groups.
- Homelessness and Housing Charities
Partnering with organisations tackling homelessness and housing shortages aligns well with the construction industry’s core expertise.
- Environmental and Sustainability Groups
Sustainability is a growing priority for construction firms, making green-focused VCSEs key partners. For example, you might want a charity that focuses on urban reforestation and green space creation. Or a company that supports sustainable waste management solutions.
- Disability and Social Inclusion Organisations
To encourage inclusion, construction firms can collaborate with VCSEs to support disabled individuals and underrepresented groups in gaining employment.
These might include an organisation which helps disabled people access training and jobs.
Or you might be looking for specialists in helping businesses create inclusive workplaces.
By integrating these organisations into their supply chains and procurement strategies, construction firms enhance their social impact while fulfilling government contract requirements.
How whatimpact Supports VCSEs in Reporting Social Value
Delivering social value is only half the challenge—measuring and reporting impact is crucial to ensure compliance with procurement frameworks. whatimpact.com offers a trusted, AI-driven matchmaking platform that connects government suppliers with over 250,000 UK-registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups.
Key Features for VCSEs and Government Suppliers
Efficient Matchmaking
Our platform provides AI-powered matching based on the UK Government’s Social Value Model and MAC matching, helping suppliers find VCSEs aligned with their objectives. Our interactive map and search tool allows for hyper-local engagement, ensuring that suppliers create community-driven social value plans.
Comprehensive VCSE Profiles
Each VCSE maintains a data-rich profile, showcasing its projects, beneficiaries, targets, and geographical reach.
Suppliers can filter organisations by cause, beneficiary type and UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) to find the most relevant partners.
Offer-Based Matching
Government suppliers can publish offers on whatimpact.com based on their social value requirements from tenders, allowing VCSEs to apply directly for partnerships. This eliminates the need to reach out manually, saving time and ensuring an efficient bidding process.
Impact Tracking and Reporting
The platform provides a robust impact reporting system, helping VCSEs and suppliers track their contributions. VCSEs can demonstrate their social impact through data-driven reporting, ensuring they meet the required social value outcomes.
Government-verified tracking tools guarantee that VCSEs receive proper recognition and compensation for their efforts.
A Game-Changer for Public Sector Procurement
Government suppliers often struggle to find and validate social value partners, leading to inefficient procurement processes. whatimpact streamlines this by acting as a one-stop social value marketplace, allowing construction firms to:
- Save time and resources by centralising VCSE search and verification.
- Build long-term, meaningful relationships with VCSEs.
- Report social value impact with accurate, real-time data.
For VCSEs, our platform provides an equal opportunity to showcase their work, connect with reputable suppliers, and access government-backed funding, in-kind donations, and volunteering opportunities.
As social value continues to shape public sector procurement, construction companies must actively engage with VCSEs to deliver impactful, community-focused initiatives. We look to revolutionise this process, offering a transparent, efficient, and data-driven approach to matchmaking, impact tracking, and reporting.
For construction firms, this means simplifying compliance, strengthening community ties, and driving real social change. For VCSEs, it ensures fair access, recognition, and compensation for their vital contributions.
Find out more about whatimpact and how it can help you.
