New online platform Match My Project supports Onward to increase social value
Onward is the latest organisation to sign up to the Match My Project platform, which will identify new opportunities to unlock investment in local communities and supply chains.
Match My Project was launched by the Social Value Exchange last year. The platform enables businesses and communities to come together to collaborate on projects designed to improve their area in a more coordinated and targeted way.
Community organisations can make requests for resources through the platform, which local suppliers can match to with the resources, skills and experience the community group needs to get their project off the ground.
Suppliers simply sign into the Match My Project portal to see what projects need some help, offer their support, and once confirmed begin the project. After the project is completed, feedback is displayed on the supplier’s profile to share and record the positive impact their support has made to the local community.
Since joining Match My Project, Onward’s supply chain has supported 7 key projects, donated 131 hours of volunteer time, and pledged a further 90 hours in supporting local community groups. Onward’s largest repair contractor, Fortem Solutions, currently sits at the top of the platform’s leader board after giving 74 hours of their colleagues’ time and donating over £2,000 in materials to community groups that work with the housing association.
Andrew White, Head of Procurement at Onward, said:
At Onward we are committed to making the most positive impact we can for the people and communities we serve and want our investment to stretch beyond bricks and mortar.
Our new Corporate Plan ‘The Onward Difference’ sets out our commitment to make a positive difference by enabling people and communities to be their best. We will do this by providing homes that people love, in places they are proud of and by working with our partners to do more.
When it comes to making The Onward Difference, we know we can’t do this alone, but by working in partnership. We can do more, together, by sharing knowledge, coordinating resources, and focusing on what will give our customers the best outcome.
The Match My Project platform provides us with the tools to do just that by giving more back to our local communities through our supply chain, helping all parties achieve meaningful social value outcomes.
We appreciate that many of the businesses we work with have commitments to specific charities, but we would still encourage our suppliers to explore the platform and engage with new community groups via Match My Project. Sometimes even the smallest contribution can really make a difference.
Dan Ebanks, Co-founder of The Social Value Exchange said,
We created MatchMyProject because we believe local community organisations are best placed to solve local challenges – but they often need the heft that the private sector can provide. And, for businesses and suppliers, it provides an opportunity to deliver Social Value, which they are increasingly being asked to provide by contracting authorities.
It has been brilliant to see Onward’s suppliers and local community groups get involved with Match My Project, putting value back into their communities.
We’re already seeing some fantastic collaborations between the private and community sector on the platform, and we believe this can stimulate social value and opportunity for years to come, contributing to the positive legacy we all leave behind.
Mark George, General Manager at Fortem’s Onward Branch said,
Working with Match My Project enables us to come together and identify key social value activities which align with what we can offer. We encourage other organisations to get involved with Match My Project and give back to our local communities to help make a difference.