IRES Programme pledge support for Scottish social enterprises
The Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) Programme has signed the Buy Social Pledge, strengthening its commitment to using procurement and partnerships to create greater opportunities for social enterprises and communities across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region.
The Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) Programme has signed the Buy Social Pledge, strengthening its commitment to using procurement and partnerships to create greater opportunities for social enterprises and communities across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region.
The Buy Social Pledge, led by Social Enterprise Scotland, brings together corporate businesses, SMEs, academic institutions, and public sector bodies looking to make a commitment to bring social enterprises into their supply chains. It allows businesses and institutions to harness their purchasing power for good and contribute to positive social change in local communities.
Organisations who sign up to the Buy Social Pledge commit to fostering inclusive economic growth. The pledge signifies a transformative approach to doing business, where businesses become catalysts for positive change in communities.
The IRES Programme is one of the five themes of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, bringing together the six local authorities across the region and wider partners to align skills with industry demand and create clear pathways into higher-skilled, better-paid jobs. Since its launch in 2019, IRES has exceeded its targets and continues to deliver at scale, with 141,000+ skills improvements, 12,000+ job outcomes and 630+ career progressions delivered across the region to date.
Rona Hunter, Chief Executive Officer and IRES Board Vice Chair, Capital City Partnership said “The IRES programme is proud to support and champion the Buy Social Pledge as part of our ongoing commitment to Community Wealth Building through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. Social Enterprises, and socially minded businesses alike play a vital role in creating inclusive economic opportunities, tackling inequalities, and generating positive outcomes for local people and places.
In recognition of this, our Social Business Directory has been developed to help connect buyers with social enterprises and encourage greater spending and collaboration in this important sector. Through initiatives such as the Buy Social Pledge, we can use our collective enabling and purchasing power to maximise social value, support thriving communities, and build a stronger regional economy.”
Jamie Lawson, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Manager at Social Enterprise Scotland said “We are delighted to welcome the IRES Programme to the Buy Social Pledge. Their commitment demonstrates how procurement can be used as practical tools to support social enterprises, strengthen local supply chains and build community wealth.
“We hope this commitment will open up new opportunities for social enterprises and inspire other organisations across Scotland to use their purchasing power to deliver greater social impact for communities.”
For more information about the pledge, and to get involved to champion change, drive progress and build a better future for both business and communities in Scotland, please visit https://www.buysocialscotland.com/business/buy-social-pledge