Measuring social value is difficult, but AI is being touted as a transformative solution to speed up reporting and cut through complexity. In this article we explore whether AI can truly deliver on this promise, or if it risks...
Social value has become a cornerstone of UK procurement and economic development, shaping how councils, government bodies and contractors frame their responsibilities to communities. But as the agenda has grown, so too has the risk of “social value washing”:...
Recently a colleague mentioned the 18th century philosopher Jeremy Bentham, and I was immediately left pondering why the connection between Bentham and social value calculation had never occurred to me before, and why Bentham’s ethical system has found its...
Collaboration is increasingly a condition of survival for charities and social enterprises. With funding stretched and competition intensifying, partnerships are often the only route to securing resources. But collaboration without genuine alignment risks failure. Establishing shared purpose, values, and...
“Social value will be at the heart of this procurement.” You’ve heard it. You might have said it. But what does it really mean --- and more importantly, what does it ask of procurement?
Reflections from a recent webinar on social value, local government reform and system-wide learning.
One year after their Open Letter to the Local Government Association, the VCSE voice is even more critical.
When we talk about social value, the focus is usually on the positives: improved lives, stronger communities, better outcomes. That makes sense. These are the results we all hope for when we support social projects or shape public policy....
In a climate of tightening budgets and growing demand, making the right decisions about where to invest has never been more critical. This article explores how social value measurement can serve as a strategic compass -- helping public sector...
Hospices provide essential care and support, but their full impact often goes unrecognised. Social value assessments help quantify their contributions, strengthening funding applications and policy influence.