Boosting awareness raising for mainstream enterprises to work with social enterprises ( towards a ‘buy social’ business to business market).

Indicators (indicative):

• Number and geographic spread of countries and public authorities participating in cooperation projects;
• Number and geographic spread of Social enterprises and mainstream businesses participating in projects;
• Number of new partnerships created in the field of private procurement.

The impact of supply chains on wider society and the environment is in sharper focus than ever before. Companies are increasingly looking to their purchasing power as an opportunity to go beyond compliance and actively pursue positive social and environmental outcomes. The development of a “Buy Social movement” over the last years has seen public authorities, businesses and consumers increasingly seeking out opportunities to buy from social enterprises.

The action will support the creation of local and regional partnerships aiming at reinforcing policy initiatives to improve collaboration in EU 27 (and other countries eligible to participate in the programme) between social economy entities and mainstream businesses in their supply chain strategies.

In particular, these partnerships will aim at helping mainstream businesses to engage with a range of social economy suppliers and embeds sustainability and diversity into their core operations and value chains. It will also help social enterprises to grow their revenues and impact by tapping into corporate purchasing power.