Project Investment:

• Island Coastal Economic Trust: $93,000
• In-Kind: $16,000
• Local Government: $168,600
• Total Budget: $277,600

Project Highlight:

Since launch membership has grown to over 20 communities, with potential to scale into a provincial-wide initiative. 

Strategic procurement is an opportunity for communities to leverage tax dollars to achieve social, economic, and environmental objectives aligned with community values. Since 2016, a working group of local government leaders have collaborated on the concept of a Community Benefit Hub – a cost-effective framework for communities to integrate strategic procurement into public spending.

This Community Benefit Hub brings together Cumberland, Ladysmith, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Gibsons, Powell River, Tofino, Campbell River, Qualicum Beach, and the City of Victoria to develop template policies and frameworks for strategic procurement adaptable to more than 60 local governments. The project includes providing expertise, materials, and training support to local governments, as well as supply-side outreach and training. An evaluation framework will be developed to compare results and ensure best practices are shared between communities.

Launched as the Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative (ccspi.ca) in 2018, the project is anticipated to establish the region as a knowledge hub for strategic procurement. Project benefits include increased opportunities for small and medium enterprises, increased targeted employment and training opportunities, supply-chain diversification, and strengthening community outcomes through taxpayer-funded systems.