A new initiative led by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Social Traders aims to create employment for marginalised groups in local communities by connecting Victorian local government with social enterprises.
The social procurement initiative provides Victorian Local Government buyers access to certified social enterprises from within their existing purchasing system.
Social Traders works collaboratively with social enterprise operators to build commercially viable businesses that deliver social impact.
“Buying from social enterprises is an effective way of leveraging purchasing budgets to support community outcomes, and in particular, help to create employment for marginalised groups,” said Sam Edmonds, Manager, Social Procurement, Social Traders.
Social enterprises frequently operate in industries such as cleaning, facilities maintenance, waste management and catering, but they can also operate in more diverse industries including legal services, bicycle maintenance and urban design.
Prior to being listed on VendorPanel, social enterprises are verified that they exist for a social purpose, earn the majority of their income through trade and reinvest the majority of their profit in their social mission.
It is an initiative that the MAV and Magnetized Markets, the founders of Vendor Panel, are both extremely supportive of.
“Social procurement is one of the key social objectives of the Council as it generates such positive outcomes for local communities, boosting both employment and the economy,” said Cameron Spence, Manager, Commercial
Services, MAV.
James Leathem, CEO and Founder of Magnetized Markets said he is thrilled that VendorPanel is being utilised in an initiative that is the first of its kind.
“The VendorPanel system was designed to simplify the procurement process for local councils and provide all businesses equitable access to council purchasing opportunities.
“It makes practical sense to use the existing functionality to enable this Social Procurement Initiative to become a reality.”
The social enterprise list on VendorPanel will soon go live for MAV member councils and will continue to grow as more social enterprises are certified.
For more information on this Social Enterprise Initiative please contact Sam Edmonds, Social Traders, at sam.edmonds@socialtraders.com.au or visit www.socialtraders.com.au
*Copy supplied by VendorPanel
