The Wildlife Trusts
Integrating social value to align with public procurement requirements
Under the Social Value Act, public sector organisations are required to consider how the services they procure contribute to the well-being of local communities. For companies seeking public contracts, it’s crucial to demonstrate meaningful, locally focused social value to differentiate themselves and appeal to public sector buyers.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust helps organisations embed social value in their bids, offering businesses the opportunity to fund and collaborate on place-based projects that directly align with framework agreements and recognised social value models, such as Themes, Outcomes, and Measures (TOMs).
Strengthen your bids for public tenders in Cornwall
We support bid teams in delivering social value that is directly relevant to their projects and creates long-term benefits for nature and local communities.
By engaging early in the process, we ensure your social value offer is strategically positioned, locally meaningful, and resonates with commissioners. Whether your focus is on enhancing health and wellbeing, developing green skills, creating nature-rich environments, or increasing community engagement with nature, we’ll help you select the right initiatives and define clear, measurable outcomes.
The Wildlife Trusts
How we work with bid teams to deliver social value
We help bid teams bidding on public contracts to design and deliver social value that is material to their projects and ensures lasting impact. For high-value or multi-region bids, we coordinate delivery through our national network of projects. For local tenders, we match proposals with place-based initiatives that align with community needs.
By getting involved early, we ensure your social value offer is strategically aligned, locally relevant, and compelling to commissioners. Whether you're aiming to improve health and wellbeing, boost green skills, create nature-rich spaces, or increase community nature-engagement, we’ll help you identify the right projects and set clear, measurable outcomes.
The Wildlife Trusts recorded a £8.50 Social Return on Investment for every £1 invested in Wildlife Trusts volunteering programmes
Our programmes are designed to deliver measurable, lasting outcomes, helping organisations meet their social value commitments and reporting obligations with confidence.
Our initiatives go far beyond surface-level engagement. They are actively supporting individuals in maintaining good physical and mental health, and addressing challenges such as loneliness, inactivity, and poor wellbeing. By participating, businesses not only contribute to nature’s recovery but also demonstrate meaningful impact in line with public sector procurement expectations.
See below for some examples of our previous programmes.
Penny Dixie
Connectivity beyond broadband
Telecommunications network provider CityFibre is upgrading internet infrastructure for over 1.3 million premises - mainly in rural and remote parts of England - through Project Gigabit, a government-backed programme led by Building Digital UK (BDUK), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The Wildlife Trusts is working with CityFibre to bring social value to communities alongside digital connectivity, as part of an ongoing four-year programme.
What is the Social Value Act?
The Social Value Act (2012), effective from 2013, requires public bodies to consider how the services they commission and procure contribute to the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of local communities. Its core principle is to ensure that public spending delivers long-term, sustainable benefits beyond the immediate scope of goods or services.
The Crown Commercial Service defines social value in procurement as “ensuring that public spending generates additional economic, social and environmental benefits beyond just the goods or services being procured”
In 2025, the Act was strengthened to place greater emphasis on the role of social impact in determining the success of public contract bids
What does the UK Government consider for public procurement?
In February 2025, the UK Government introduced a revised Social Value Model for central government departments, executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies. This model outlines five key missions and eight intended outcomes that social value initiatives should aim to achieve.
What does local government consider in procurement?
Local authorities have developed their own social value strategies to guide suppliers. These strategies help bidders understand how councils will evaluate social value in procurement decisions. Resources such as the Local Government Association’s TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, Measures) framework support councils in measuring and managing social value across procurement, bid evaluation, and contract delivery.
How can investing in social impact benefit my business?
With growing legislative emphasis on the ‘Social’ component of ESG, demonstrating social value is becoming essential. Partnering with The Wildlife Trusts can help your organisation stay ahead of policy changes while delivering meaningful impact for nature and communities. This also opens new avenues for employee and customer engagement
How can Cornwall Wildlife Trust support your bid or disclosures?
As a VCSE, The Wildlife Trusts is well-positioned to support suppliers in meeting social value requirements. We offer expert guidance, tailored resources, and a federated structure that combines national reach with local expertise.
Our pipeline of place-based projects delivers measurable outcomes aligned with recognised frameworks like TOMs. We also provide early-stage support with reports, case studies, and metrics to strengthen your bid and demonstrate impact.