Industry Capability Network (ICN) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Social Traders, Australia's leading social enterprise procurement intermediary, to streamline social procurement processes and create greater opportunities for social enterprises and suppliers nationwide.

The collaboration brings together ICN's extensive supplier network and procurement expertise with Social Traders deep knowledge of the social enterprise sector, creating a comprehensive platform that makes it easier for project owners to integrate social value into their procurement decisions while providing suppliers with enhanced opportunities to engage with social enterprises.

"This partnership represents a significant step forward in making social procurement accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes," said Warren Jansen, CEO ICN National Office. "ICN has always been about connecting the right suppliers with the right opportunities, and partnering with Social Traders allows us to extend this mission to include social impact as a core component of procurement value."

Social Traders is a leading industry body for social enterprise and social performance established in 2008. We are Australia’s social enterprise certifier with now almost 800 certified social enterprises nationwide. Since 2017, we have worked with more than 300 businesses and government agencies to deliver and report on social procurement.

Over the last seven years $1.1 billion was spent with certified social enterprises. This spend supported:

• 10,000+ jobs and over 918k training hours for people otherwise shut out of work
• 56,600 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill
• $88 million in affordable and accessible community services

“Partnering with ICN is part of our ambition to make social procurement business as usual. The partnership will make it easier for businesses to find social enterprise suppliers that are certified, to avoid social washing and create measurable social value through their supply chain. It’s part of our vision to build a thriving social enterprise sector that creates a fairer and more equitable Australia,” said Tara Anderson, CEO Social Traders.

The partnership delivers significant value across multiple dimensions. Project owners will gain access to a wider range of diverse suppliers now including certified social enterprises. The collaboration creates competitive advantage for businesses by providing new opportunities to deliver meaningful social impact commitments by working with certified social enterprises.

The partnership aligns with growing demand from government and private sector clients for procurement approaches that deliver social value alongside commercial outcomes. Research shows that social procurement is increasingly becoming standard practice rather than an optional add-on, making this partnership particularly timely for Australian businesses.

"Social procurement doesn't have to be costly or time-consuming – in fact, once it becomes part of your everyday procurement practices, it simply becomes business as usual," noted Warren. "This partnership ensures that suppliers and project owners have the support they need to make that transition seamlessly."

The collaboration will see the development of new tools and resources, enhanced database integration, and joint educational initiatives designed to increase connections between social enterprises and major contractors across Australia.

Media Contacts:
Louise Wakefield, Executive General Manager
Industry Capability Network National Office
Phone: 02 6285 2033
Email: lwakefield@icn.org.au

Joanne Barrow, Head of Marketing & Digital
Social Traders
Phone: 03 8319 8444
Email: joanne.barrow@socialtraders.com.au

About Industry Capability Network (ICN)

Industry Capability Network (ICN) is Australia's national network that connects buyers and suppliers to grow local industry and create local jobs. Operating across all states and territories, ICN helps businesses of all sizes access opportunities in major projects and supply chains while supporting project owners to identify and engage capable local suppliers.

ICN's comprehensive database includes thousands of suppliers across diverse industries, providing a single point of access for procurement professionals seeking reliable, competitive suppliers. Through its proven Gateway platform and expert facilitation services, ICN has facilitated billions of dollars in contracts between buyers and local suppliers, creating jobs and building industrial capability across Australia.

For more information, visit www.icn.org.au

About Social Traders

Social Traders is a leading industry body for social enterprise and social performance established since 2008. We help social enterprises show their credibility and grow their trade revenue. We also support businesses to deliver and report on their social performance.

Whether it’s embedding social procurement, inclusive employment practices or delivering social value in ESG, we bring the expertise you need. We’ll help you demonstrate and report on your social performance with confidence and easily connect with genuine social enterprise suppliers – saving you time and effort.

For more information, visit www.socialtraders.com.au

Photo: Bama Services