The social requirement in a procurement can be delivered by private companies that are able to incorporate delivery of these outcomes into their normal processes, they can also be subcontracted out to or directly delivered by organisations that have expertise in delivering the required social benefit as well as supplying quality good and services required by the buyer.
These organisations are commonly referred to as social benefit suppliers and they include social enterprises, indigenous businesses, Australian Disability Enterprises, Fair Trade Businesses and can also include minority owned and women owned businesses.
Social procurement is a key plank in the development of social enterprise and other social benefit providers because it recognises and places value on the benefits that these businesses provide.
What is a Social Enterprise?
A social enterprise is a business established in response to a social, economic or environmental need. They operate in the market place selling products and services and the majority of their profit is used to advance their mission. They are diverse operating across all industries, in most geographies and range from SMEs to large companies.
To make it easier to buy from these businesses several web based directories have been developed.
If you would like to buy from a social enterprise:
Victorian Councils can now access a listing of certified social enterprises through the VendorPanel system.
Good Spender is a social enterprise marketplace where Australian consumers can buy online directly from dozens of Australian social enterprises.
The Dept of Family and Housing, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs has a national directory of disability social enterprises.
Supply Nation links indigenous businesses to institutional purchasers.
Fair Trade Australia can assist in pointing business to Fair Trade suppliers.
WEConnect International in Australasia connects women-owned enterprises to corporations under their Supplier Diversity and Inclusion programs.
