Building partnerships between government suppliers and locally relevant VCSEs (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises) is a cornerstone of social value delivery. Crafting a compelling social value plan can set your organization apart, enabling it to stand out in competitive tenders. VCSEs bring their expertise and grassroots projects to the table, offering vehicles for government suppliers to invest in social, environmental, and economic value that aligns with contract work.
Whether your goal is to engage VCSEs as subject matter experts for employment initiatives, support impactful environmental programs, or contribute to equal opportunities, health, well-being, and social cohesion in local communities, finding the right partners can be daunting.
Social value plans now account for 10–30% of bid scoring, making them a critical factor in winning contracts. Yet, with tight timelines and the pressure of tender processes, traditional methods like search engines or cold-calling local VCSEs are inefficient and unreliable. Success requires a more systematic and data-driven approach.
Top Tips for Finding the Perfect VCSE Match
1. High-Quality Data on VCSEs Is Essential
A simple directory or vague descriptions won’t cut it.
- Geographic and Beneficiary Alignment: Government contracts often require outcomes in specific areas and for certain beneficiary groups. A VCSE’s registered address doesn’t always reflect where its work and impact occur. Many VCSEs operate in multiple locations or serve beneficiaries far from their headquarters.
- Streamlined Collaboration: Tender processes involve multiple stakeholders, making a coordinated approach crucial. Recordkeeping for partnership discussions ensures smooth implementation once the contract is won.
2. Compatibility Is Key: Look Beyond the Surface
Even if a VCSE’s mission aligns with your goals, deeper compatibility is vital:
- Outcome Alignment: Ensure the VCSE’s targets match the tender’s criteria.
- Resource Fit: Confirm that the VCSE can utilise your specific resources—whether monetary, product donations, or volunteering skills.
- Timing and Readiness: Check if the VCSE’s program is live when your contract work begins or if lead time is required to launch or scale a project.
- New vs. Existing Projects: Determine whether your contribution will support an ongoing initiative or help establish a new one, as this impacts timelines and resources.
- Volunteering Commitments: Ensure your team can meet the VCSE’s requirements for roles and timelines.
3. Speak to the Right People—and Make a Strong Case
Effective communication is critical:
- Targeted Outreach: Avoid generic emails or cold calls. Instead, connect directly with the VCSE’s partnership managers or those who have an authority to negotiate.
- Credible Proposals: VCSEs value shared values and commitments over vague offers. Present your organisation with clarity and credibility, allowing time for the VCSE to evaluate your proposal.
- Team Collaboration: Engage your bidding, delivery, and reporting teams in these conversations to address varying partnership needs throughout the process.
4. Winning with Robust Delivery Plans, Not Just Box-Ticking
Government procurement has evolved, with delivery plans taking center stage over checkbox approaches:
- Method Statement: This delivery plan must detail a tangible, locally relevant, and contract-specific approach. You need to name your VCSE partners and confirm the collaboration models.
- Impact Reporting: Define how you will measure and verify social value delivery. If required to use KPI systems like Social Value Portal or monetisation platforms, ensure you provide qualitative evidence alongside quantitative metrics. A well-thought-out planning, delivery, and reporting system boosts bid scores.
Check our resource centre for more content on social value, and use our chat bot to book a call to learn more about successful social value bids and delivery.
Procurement Act Live 2025
On Thursday 27th of February, the whatimpact team will be at the Procurement Act Live 2025 in Birmingham! whatimpact is an advocate for cross-sector collaboration advocating for locally relevant social value through partnerships with local charities, social enterprises and local initiatives. Thanks to the improvements in various procurement policies, the recognised importance of social value is at an all-time high. A time to recognise how buyers and suppliers can work together to deliver the most effective hyper-local tangible social value.
If you are already attending, please come along and meet the team at stand 20, or prebook an appointment with our COO, Phillip Lusher for the day here!
whatimpact.com: Revolutionising Social Value Delivery
whatimpact.com is transforming into an open-access National Social Value Marketplace, revolutionising how government suppliers find and partner with locally relevant VCSEs.
If you’re seeking a comprehensive system to streamline social value partnerships, enhance bid quality, and ensure successful delivery, contact us today. Be among the frontrunner companies leveraging cutting-edge technology and data to elevate the efficiency and impact of your social value initiatives.
