For too long, procurement has been driven by a single priority—cost. Whether in the public or private sector, contracts have typically been awarded to the lowest bidder, with little regard for long-term impact or added value. But today’s challenges—social inequality, climate change, and community needs—demand a new approach. That’s where procurement with purpose comes in.
Procurement with purpose means focusing on outcomes rather than just outputs or price. It’s about asking: What change will this contract bring? Will it create jobs for underrepresented groups? Will it reduce environmental harm? Will it support local businesses or improve well-being in our communities? Instead of simply buying products or services, organisations are now using procurement as a tool for positive, measurable change.
This shift requires a new way of thinking about value. The lowest price isn’t always the best value—especially if it leads to poor service, limited social impact, or missed opportunities to support communities. Purposeful procurement recognises that true value includes social, environmental, and economic benefits that go beyond the contract itself.
To get started, organisations should rethink how they design and assess contracts. Rather than listing tasks to complete, they should focus on the outcomes they want to achieve. Then they can work with suppliers—especially small businesses and social enterprises—to find innovative ways to reach those goals.
🔄 How to Start Buying With Purpose:
- Define your desired social or environmental outcomes from the start
- Build those outcomes into your contract requirements and evaluation criteria
- Encourage suppliers to propose creative, impact-driven solutions
- Track and measure the real-world impact throughout the contract
- Open the door to smaller or purpose-led organisations by simplifying bid processes
In short, procurement with purpose is about turning every contract into an opportunity for impact. It’s about delivering more than just services—it’s about creating real, lasting change.
At Procure for Impact, we support organisations in making this shift. We help clients rethink procurement strategies to achieve not just value for money—but value for people, places, and the planet.
