When Southern Program Alliance (SPA) – a joint venture comprised of ACCIONA (constructor), WSP, Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), and the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) – lost its landscaping supplier on the Parkdale Level Crossing Removal Project, the team had two choices: take the safe route and find another traditional subcontractor, or seize the opportunity and do something truly different. 

They chose different – and it paid off. 

Instead of stepping back, SPA partnered directly with Navaroo, a brand-new social enterprise providing employment pathways for skilled migrants. On paper, it looked risky – Navaroo had no project delivery experience and no Social Traders certification. But SPA’s Industry Capability and Inclusion (ICI) team saw the potential where others might have seen only obstacles. 

That decision has since earned ACCIONA – SPA and Navaroo the 2025 National Social Procurement Impact Partnership Game Changer Award, setting a new benchmark for what bold, values-driven procurement can achieve. 

Supporting Navaroo to succeed 

At $3.8 million, this was the first time SPA had awarded a major landscaping package to a social enterprise. For Navaroo, it was transformative. 

“Winning a $3.8 million contract so early in our journey was both a privilege and a responsibility. It told our whole team that we deserve our place in this industry… For us, it was more than a contract. It was proof that if you back people with the right support, they rise, and the work speaks for itself.” – Hashan Senarathna, Director, Navaroo 

Instead of treating Navaroo like a typical subcontractor, SPA redesigned its approach to make the partnership succeed. Key enablers included: 

• Financial flexibility: Upfront and progress payments to stabilise cash flow. 

• Inclusive onboarding: Inductions adapted for non-native English speakers. 

• Capability building: Links to Frankston Social Enterprise Hub and support to achieve Social Traders certification mid-project. 

• Business development: Website and capability statement refinement, plus introductions to other Level Crossing Removal Projects – unlocking $950,000 in further contracts. 

Carla Phillips, SPA’s Industry Capability and Inclusion Advisor, said it was clear from the outset that Navaroo had the skills to deliver: 

“It was clear from the first meeting that the Navaroo team knew their stuff! Navaroo was a brand new social enterprise, however Chris and Hashan together brought decades of experience in construction to the start-up.” – Carla Phillips, SPA 

With the right support, Navaroo went from a high-risk start-up to a certified, competitive supplier with long-term sustainability. 

Real results: Jobs, growth, and culture change 

The outcomes speak for themselves – but they’re best illustrated through people like Isuru. 

“Isuru arrived in Australia as a new migrant and faced the same challenges that many of our people experience when trying to enter professional employment. He had the skills and the drive, but without someone to back him, the opportunities were not there. The Parkdale project changed that… Parkdale gave Isuru his first real career step in Australia, but it also gave him something bigger – the sense that he truly belonged.” – Hashan Senarathna, Director, Navaroo 

Through stories like Isuru’s, the numbers come to life: 

• Employment: Five skilled migrants gained more than 3,891 hours of meaningful work, plus 185 hours of training. 

• Sustainability: A two-year maintenance scope provided stable employment and career pathways. 

• Multiplier effect: Navaroo’s supply chain spend included $224,000 with other social enterprises, amplifying impact. 

• Cultural change: SPA’s engineers and project teams shifted from risk-aversion to actively seeking social enterprise suppliers. 

4 Lessons every business can apply 

This award-winning partnership shows that any business can use procurement as a lever for impact. 

• Rethink risk: High potential impact often comes with uncertainty. Mitigation strategies like upfront payments or tailored onboarding can turn risk into reward. 

• Invest in capability: Supporting a social enterprise to grow strengthens your supply chain and creates long-term value. 

• Embed inclusion internally: Normalising social procurement within teams makes it easier to repeat and scale impact. 

• Think beyond the contract: Introductions, business development support, and mentoring create ripple effects across industries. 

Carla believes one of the biggest enablers is simply being open and transparent with partners: 

“Information sharing can be invaluable! Providing insights like tendering details, potential risks, or even the project manager’s style can really help a new social enterprise compete with more seasoned commercial businesses.” – Carla Phillips, SPA 

Purposeful procurement is smart business 

SPA and Navaroo’s partnership prove that social procurement isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s a smart, sustainable business strategy. For Navaroo, it was proof they belonged in the industry. For workers like Isuru, it was the chance to build a future. And for SPA, it was the evidence that performance and purpose can truly go hand in hand. 

“Now more than ever, businesses that proudly deliver on social performance will see long-term competitive advantage. Customers want it. Investors are looking for it. Employees are drawn to it.” – Tara Anderson, CEO, Social Traders 

The lesson is clear: when businesses embrace bold, collaborative procurement, they move beyond profit – towards purpose. 

Reach out to see how we can support your social procurement goals.