Social value has evolved beyond being viewed as a procurement requirement or corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. It is now recognised as a strategic enabler that helps organisations deliver broader objectives around skills, inclusion, employment, community resilience and economic growth. This shift was the focus of CGI's recent Social Value Summit, bringing together representatives from government, industry and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors to explore how stronger collaboration can deliver lasting impact.
The summit provided an opportunity to move beyond discussions about social value measurement and reporting and focus instead on delivery. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and a VCSE marketplace, attendees explored how organisations can work together to translate social value commitments into meaningful outcomes that support both local communities and wider public sector priorities.
Building partnerships that deliver outcomes
A recurring theme throughout the day was the critical role that VCSE organisations play in delivering impact. From supporting employability and skills development to driving inclusion and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, VCSE partners bring specialist expertise, trusted community relationships and innovative approaches that complement the capabilities of both government and industry.
Our keynote speaker, Claire Dove CBE, Crown Representative for VCSEs, highlighted the importance of building genuine partnerships that recognise the value each organisation brings to the table. This message was reinforced during a panel discussion featuring representatives from Cabinet Office Digital, Skills Builder, Auticon and CGI, who explored how collaboration across sectors can help support wider government missions and strategic objectives.
Importantly, the discussion focused on partnership rather than transaction. The most successful programmes are not characterised by organisations working independently towards separate goals, but by shared ownership of outcomes, early engagement and collaborative design. Whether supporting digital inclusion, developing future skills or creating pathways into employment, the strongest results are achieved when government, industry and VCSE organisations work together towards common objectives.
This approach is already delivering tangible benefits. During the summit, CGI shared examples of how social value activity has been aligned to client priorities, including education outreach initiatives delivered in support of the Department for Education's objectives and developing meaningful work experience opportunities with the DWP. These programmes demonstrate how social value can contribute directly to organisational goals while creating wider benefits for communities and future generations.
The summit also showcased the breadth of organisations contributing to this agenda through a dedicated VCSE marketplace. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with partners working across skills, employability, inclusion, education and community engagement, creating valuable opportunities to share learning and identify new areas for collaboration.
Turning commitments into lasting impact
As organisations across the public sector continue to focus on delivering better outcomes for citizens, there is a growing opportunity to strengthen partnerships between government, industry and the VCSE sector. The discussions at CGI’s Social Value Summit reinforced a clear message: social value delivers the greatest impact when it is embedded into organisational objectives and supported through genuine collaboration.
The challenge now is not whether we should work together, but how we can build stronger, more sustainable partnerships that create lasting benefits for communities. By aligning expertise, sharing ownership of outcomes and investing in long-term relationships, government, industry and the VCSE sector can deliver greater value for citizens and help address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
To learn more about CGI's approach to delivering social value through collaboration, read our social value brochure.
