Let’s Talk Social Value - Season 4, Episode 2
Andrew O’Brien & Hana Kapetanovic from Demos
Demos and their ‘Taming the Wild West’ report
Demos is an independent cross-party think tank, created 30 years ago. They focus on putting people at the heart of policymaking, creating bold ideas and a more collaborative democracy to create a ‘citizen economy’.
A ‘citizen economy’ essentially means an economy where people don’t just act according to their own individual interests. Instead, businesses would be motivated beyond profit; individuals would consider goods and services beyond a simple cheapest price point; governments would plan and act further than driving tax revenue. It involves holistic thinking, advocating the need to collaborate and work together in order to generate the best possible social, environmental and economic impact possible.
Their latest report, Taming the Wild West, takes a deep dive into Social Value. Demos addresses tough challenges like the lack of standardisation, transparency, and consistency in public procurement. It was co-authored by Andrew O’Brien (Director of Policy and Impact) and Hana Kapetanovic (Lead Researcher), outlining key recommendations to streamline and enhance the delivery of social value across government and businesses.
Listen in to find out their thoughts and research on these vital questions:
How can social value be better integrated into procurement processes?
Why is a “citizen’s economy” critical to reshaping our approach to public spending?
What kind of innovative role can technology play in creating transparency and accountability in social value?
In this episode, Sarah talks to Andrew and Hana about:
The challenges and opportunities outlined in the Taming the Wild West report.
How the lack of standards is creating an uneven playing field in public procurement.
Strategies for empowering citizens and fostering better collaboration between businesses and governments.
“We’re not trying to crush innovation, but we need to create a safe space where those entering the social value landscape can orient themselves.”
Andrew O’Brien - Demos
Find out more:
Bringing order to the “Wild West” of social value:
The report highlights the chaotic nature of social value implementation across public procurement. From the lack of standardised frameworks to inconsistent evaluation methods, this unregulated environment is creating barriers for small businesses and increasing administrative burdens. Clearer standards and more interoperability are proposed as critical first steps toward addressing these issues.
Why a “citizen economy” matters:
Demos envisions a shift from treating the public solely as consumers toward embracing their role as citizens. This means fostering collaboration between businesses, governments, and communities to generate social, economic, and environmental benefits collectively. According to Hana, this approach centres people in policymaking, ensuring that social value reflects the needs and aspirations of those it serves.
Collaboration is at the heart of progress: Bringing businesses, governments, and citizens together to foster social value and create a more inclusive 'citizen economy'.
The role of technology:
Technology could revolutionise social value through better data collection, tracking, and transparency. As Hana notes, innovations like QR codes that trace the environmental and social impact of products across supply chains could empower both consumers and public sector buyers to make informed decisions.
What the report hopes to achieve:
The Taming the Wild West report aspires to bring structure, clarity, and innovation to the social value agenda. It calls for the establishment of a Social Value Council to set standards and foster collaboration across sectors. By promoting technology adoption, addressing the needs of small businesses, and strengthening the Social Value Act, the report envisions a more equitable and impactful approach to public procurement.
Read the ‘Taming the Wild West’ report PDF here
If you're a contracting authority or supplier seeking to improve your social value practices, Samtaler is here to help. With experienced professionals and a deep understanding of social value implementation, Samtaler offers tailored solutions to navigate complexities and maximise impact.
Take the first step towards sustainable and socially responsible procurement. Contact Samtaler today to benefit your organisation and contribute to a better society. To find out how we can help send an email to hello@samtaler.co.uk
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