The Procurement to Partnership Toolkit

Procurement has long frustrated commissioners wanting to collaborate with purpose-aligned, public benefit partners. E3M’s ground-breaking publication of 2016, “The Art of the Possible,” was notably influential in breaking down myths and perceptions about process-driven procurement and regulations as a barrier to commissioning for social value.

But for many commissioners, the question of “how” remained. E3M has observed a common pattern whenever a public authority or a social enterprise proposes a partnership-based approach. Once local authority or other commissioners are in support of such an approach, and are in discussion with progressive, purpose-aligned partners, momentum grinds to a sudden halt when someone shouts “stop – there’s a procurement issue.”

In response E3M launched the online, free to access, Procurement to Partnership Toolkit, containing multiple case studies of Public Service Community Partnerships, including in Oldham, Croydon, Plymouth, Leicestershire and elsewhere.

Cllr Louise Gittens Leader Cheshire West and Chester Council

Oldham's Social Innovation Partnership