Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of local economies – and their ability to deliver social value is often underestimated.
From creating jobs for local people to supporting community projects and buying from nearby suppliers, SMEs strengthen communities, foster fairness, and drive sustainability.
What is social value and why does it matter?
Social value means the wider benefits a business creates for society – above and beyond delivering its core products or services.
For SMEs, these benefits are often embedded into how they operate, not an afterthought. Hiring locally, mentoring young people, and supporting schools, charities, and events aren’t just good practices – they’re powerful examples of social value in action.
When SMEs put social value at the heart of their business, they:
- Employ local people
- Offer training, apprenticeships, and work experience placements
- Buy from other local businesses
- Mentor young people and create pathways into work
- Support community projects, schools, and charities.
The result? A ripple effect: money stays in the local economy, employment and skills rise, and communities become more resilient.
Policy changes are making social value essential
Public sector procurement has changed and SMEs are perfectly placed to benefit.
The Procurement Act 2023 and the updated National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS, 2025) mean that public sector buyers must now prioritise suppliers who deliver wider benefits, not just the lowest price.
The shift from MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) to MAT (Most Advantageous Tender) puts social value at the centre of procurement decisions.
For SMEs, this is long-overdue recognition of the value they already deliver – and an opportunity to stand out.
How SMEs can turn local impact into competitive advantage
At CloudNine, we help SMEs measure, enhance, and showcase their social value to win more work and create greater impact.
Our services help you:
- Measure and report your local employment and spending
- Align with the UK Government’s Social Value Model and National TOMs framework
- Clearly communicate your impact in public sector tenders.
- We work with organisations of all sizes to help them understand, enhance, and deliver meaningful social value that meets buyer expectations and strengthens their community ties.
Ready to strengthen your social value strategy?
Contact CloudNine today if you’re an SME looking to:
- Articulate your local impact
- Build stronger community and supply chain connections
- Improve your chances of winning public sector contracts
Get in touch today at [email protected] to see how we can turn ambition into impact by helping you build capability and connect with communities. We’ll give you the insight, tools, and strategies you need to embed social value where it matters most and turn it into results that last.
