Social procurement considers how the process of buying goods and services for the university can positively impact the social well-being of our communities and help reduce poverty, promote economic and social inclusion, and support local economic development and social enterprise. It also fosters supply chain diversity and workforce development initiatives within procurement processes to promote inclusive economic growth. As purchasers of millions of dollars in goods and services annually, post-secondary procurement departments can be examples of how social and environmental factors can be incorporated in their purchasing practices.
Social Procurement: Amplify your Purchasing Dollars for a Better World
Social Procurement: Amplify your Purchasing Dollars for a Better World is designed to help procurement professionals in post-secondary institutions drive positive social change through their procurement activities.
Simon Fraser University and a few other Canadian post-secondary institutions produced this guide, which was sponsored by the British Columbia Collaborative for Social Innovation and supported by the McConnell Family Foundation.
The guide identifies the benefits of adopting social procurement practices as well, including:
- providing economic opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and groups;
- supporting the growth of small, local, diverse businesses and social enterprises; and
- contributing to the health and well-being of local community members and institutions.
SFU supports Buy Social Canada, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council among many others.