North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) has won the top award for Social Value at the GO Awards, an annual celebration of the very best in UK procurement.
The winning award submission focused on the partnership between NEPO and EDF, having worked together to deliver social value within NEPO301 Electricity. Used by 23 public sector organisations across the UK, NEPO301 Electricity features social value commitments totalling £70,000.
The annual GO Awards celebrate the very best procurement achievements from public, private and third sector organisations. Held at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, the awards showcase the innovation and best practice demonstrated by procurement teams.
Marie Perriam, energy lead at NEPO, said: “We are delighted to have been presented with this prestigious award. Social value is incredibly important to NEPO and its members, it ensures that every pound of public spending delivers additional benefits to local communities.
“Working together with EDF we have developed a public sector electricity contract that not only supplies 100% zero carbon power, but also features demand-side services that aim to reduce usage.
“From the outset of the procurement project, we invested time and resources in helping the energy market understand our social value ambitions. Our approach secured social value commitments with a proxy value of £70,000, which will see support for unemployed people, engagement with schools, the creation of green infrastructure and much more.”
Pete Fear, senior account manager at EDF, added: “It is fantastic that our joint approach has been recognised at the GO Awards.”
“We have worked in partnership with NEPO to understand its members’ needs and develop a social value offering that will make a tangible difference to North East communities.
“Our work with local schools has seen us develop classroom materials in STEM subjects and later this year we will be installing solar technology at schools in Durham to give pupils direct experience of renewable energy in action.”