Partnering for impact

Social Traders is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with WorldCC Foundation. This collaboration brings together two value-driven organisations with a shared ambition: to transform procurement into a force for social good.

At its core, this partnership is about aligning purpose with practice. By combining WorldCC Foundation’s global expertise in sustainable and inclusive contracting with Social Traders unmatched experience as a leading industry body for social enterprise and social performance in Australia, we aim to shift the way businesses think about who they buy from and why it matters.

A shared vision to unlock more social value

Social Traders certifies and supports over 760 social enterprises across Australia. These are businesses that exist to create social value. We advocate for procurement that delivers measurable impact for communities and the planet. Our work has helped shape the landscape of supplier diversity through social enterprise engagement across the private and public sectors.

Since 2017, Social Traders has been creating a social procurement marketplace catalysing a cumulative total of over $1.1 billion in social spend between our business and government members and certified social enterprises.

This has supported 10,000+ employment outcomes for people otherwise shut out of work, $88.1 million spent on delivering affordable and accessible community services and diverted 56,500 tonnes of waste from landfill.

Meanwhile, the WorldCC Foundation is committed to reimagining commercial relationships, their focus is on serving more than just economic interests, but broader social outcomes. To achieve this, they provide free, accessible tools, training, and research to help individuals, businesses, and communities build fair, transparent, and inclusive contracts.

In the past year alone, they have reached thousands of people across more than 70 countries, launched the Sustainability Clause Library to embed ESG principles into agreements, and celebrated the fifth year of our Inspiring Women program. Through initiatives like World Sustainable Contracting Day, the Better Contract Design Mark, and the Commercial Awareness Program, the WorldCC Foundation are working toward ambitious 2030 goals – including delivering one million hours of free learning and supporting 25,000 small and micro businesses. Their mission is simple but transformative: to ensure that no one is left behind in shaping commercial relationships that drive positive social impact.

What this partnership means

Through this collaboration, we will:

• Champion inclusive sourcing by demonstrating the real-world benefits of social procurement;
• Equip businesses with the knowledge and tools to embed social value in contracts and supply chains;
• Create platforms for shared learning and visibility through joint advocacy; and
• Amplify each other’s voices, helping our communities discover the power of purposeful procurement.

Together, we’re not just advocating for change, we’re making it easier for organisations to take action.

“I’m delighted we’re joining forces with Social Traders to drive a meaningful shift in procurement practice that delivers not only economic value but also social and environmental impact. Sustainable or ESG procurement practices aren’t just buzzwords - they’re simply good procurement and commercial practice, full stop.” – Sharon Morris, WorldCC

“Partnering with WorldCC recognises our shared values and purpose – to change how business thinks and the way business is done, by creating social value alongside profit. Organisations are not only driving their social performance further when they partner with social enterprises – they’re also using their purchasing power to help change lives, and build a fairer, more equitable and sustainable Australia.” – Tara Anderson, Social Traders

As we deepen this partnership over the coming months, we look forward to inspiring more organisations to consider how their procurement decisions can build a better future.