The Victorian Government has released a new guide to help councils incorporate social procurement into their purchasing and tendering practices.

It was released by Minister for Local Government Richard Wynne at the Abbotsford Convent, an arts and cultural precinct in Melbourne, which is a leader in social procurement.

“Social procurement is about achieving positive social outcome through innovative approaches to procurement, employment and partnerships,” Mr Wynne said.

“It is becoming increasingly popular as governments look at ways to meet social objectives as part of their triple-bottom line reporting.

“While most councils are familiar with social enterprises and social benefit suppliers, the guide explores a number of other social procurement channels and looks at the legal aspects so councils can easily embed it into their business operations.”

Mr Wynne said the guide would be complemented by the Export Support Program, which would offer councils the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in social procurement.

The guide was developed by the Department of Planning and Community Development and the University of NSW Centre of Social Impact, in consultation with Foresters Community Finance, the Victorian Government’s Solicitor’s Office, Department of Human Services, Social Traders and councils.

Mr Wynne said the guide was itself an example of social procurement because it was designed by St Kilda Youth Services project Blue SKYS Media.

The guide is available at www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/CRB.