Help us make procurement work for everyone

Are you involved in procurement already or looking to learn more about it? Then register now and come along to our procurement webinar on 24 November, 3-4pm. Featuring an expert panel, this is a great chance to learn more and ask important questions on what’s working well and what the challenges are for you and the wider sector around procurement.

Many voluntary organisations are already involved in procurement and others are now looking to it as a way to transform their services. The coronavirus pandemic has shown more than ever the invaluable role of the voluntary sector in the delivery of vital public services, often arranged through a procurement process. Procurement is a key feature of the Scottish Government’s economic recovery plan and transformation strategy and touches on a whole host of important agendas including fair work, human rights and tackling the climate and ecological emergency.

But, despite some good progress, members continue to raise with us the big challenges they face with the way the procurement system is working for them. This includes lack of sustainable funding, challenges with competitive tendering and the difficulties for smaller organisations to access contracts. We need to make procurement work for the sector, it’s employees and those receiving services.

So how do we get there? Well, first of all, the voluntary sector needs to have its voice heard and, alongside other key partners, we at SCVO are trying to make that happen. Our event will be a great chance to engage with and learn more from Nick Ford, Scottish Government’s Director of Procurement and Property, about how the Government is working with others to leverage the full power of around £13.3 billion public procurement spend to support a lasting green and economic recovery. The Scottish Government has also asked Blake Stevenson to carry out some research to learn more about voluntary sector experiences of public procurement and are looking for participants to help. For more information and to get involved, contact Lena Sideri: lena@blakestevenson.co.uk or call 0131 667 2919.Alongside the national, we will hear from the local with Jennifer McKerrall, Social Care Senior Manager from Scotland Excel. She will cover some of the work her organisation does supporting local authorities around procurement.

On top of this we will have The Wise Goup Chief Executive Sean Duffy sharing his vast experience, north and south of the border, of what the key conditions are for successful procurement. After the presentations there will be an opportunity to ask questions as we dig deep into current experiences of public procurement.

Following this event, we really want to keep the conversation going with our members. We want it to be a springboard to enhance our collective understanding of procurement and lead to more focused action from SCVO going forward. If you’re interested then please register here, or contact allan.young@scvo.scot for more information.