Posted 12th August 2025
Consultation Now Open: Strengthening Collaboration Between VCSEs, SMEs and Corporate Suppliers
The Institute for Social Value is launching a sector-wide consultation to explore how partnerships between VCSEs, SMEs and corporate suppliers can drive long-term social value. This work builds on a growing body of evidence that cross-sector collaboration, when done well, leads to better outcomes for communities and more accountable, inclusive decision-making.
We are particularly interested in hearing from those with direct experience of commissioning, bidding, or delivering public contracts. Whether you are part of a VCSE, a small or medium-sized business, a corporate supplier or a public body, your insights will help shape a forthcoming briefing note aimed at political leaders and public sector commissioners.
The deadline for contributions is 30 September 2025.
Submissions can be made online via this short form:
This consultation follows a recent panel discussion hosted by The Institute at UKREiiF, which examined the conditions that make collaborative working effective in practice. Speakers from the VCSE and private sectors offered candid reflections on the opportunities and challenges of partnership, and the conversation made clear that this is an area of both complexity and promise.
To continue the dialogue, we will be hosting a live online event on Thursday 18 September, 12.30–1.30pm. This will include a panel discussion open to all, followed by a member-only Q&A session.
To register for the event, please use the following link:
Further interviews and case studies will be held in the coming months as part of our wider programme of work on social value and procurement.
If you or your organisation have experience to share, now is the time to get involved. We look forward to hearing your views.
Have Your Say on the Future of Public Procurement
The UK Government has launched a new public consultation: “Growing British industry, jobs and skills – further reforms to public procurement.”
This is a key moment for social value to be embedded more deeply into procurement practice across the UK. The consultation is seeking feedback on a range of new proposals designed to support SMEs and VCSEs and boost local jobs and skills through public procurement.
You can access the full list of proposals and consultation questions here: https://lnkd.in/gEUwmWCc
As a membership organisation championing the role of social value, The Institute for Social Value is preparing a response- and we want to hear from you. How you can contribute: We’re inviting our members to share their views on the new proposals. Your input will directly influence our response to the consultation. To have your say:
If you are a member, please complete our Jotform survey here https://lnkd.in/gPen_c9m by no later than Monday 25th August, 5pm. Together, we can help ensure procurement policy delivers real value for people, places, and communities