Why Placemaking Matters for Social Value Delivery

What do we mean by ‘place’?

Place-based social value is an approach to procurement and community investment that aligns social impact activity with the specific needs, priorities and lived experiences of local communities.

When we talk about ‘place’, we often think of it as a physical location. But in reality, place is shaped far more by people - by lived experience, relationships, shared purpose, and a sense of belonging.

That idea underpins how I think about social value delivery, particularly through my work at Fusion21 and in my role as Co-Chair of the Social Value Leadership Group.

Why should social value reflect local context?

At Fusion21, social value is embedded into procurement and framework delivery from the outset - not as an add-on, but as a core part of how value is defined and delivered through public sector spend.

That means focusing on outcomes that matter locally, including:

• Jobs and skills
• Opportunities for SMEs and local supply chains
• Improved community wellbeing
• Environmental performance

However, while social value may be structured through procurement systems, how it is experienced on the ground is always shaped by place - by local context, lived experience and community need.

Understanding place in practice

For me, ‘place’ goes far beyond geography.

I might describe where I live as rural and scenic, with public transport that leaves a lot to be desired. But what matters far more is the strong sense of community, the connection across generations, and the real challenges around aspiration, particularly for young people in more isolated areas.

That contrast highlights something important: every place contains complexity, and no two places are the same.

Where traditional approaches can fall short

As social value delivery scales, there is a risk it becomes overly standardised.

While consistency has value, one-size-fits-all approaches can unintentionally create distance from local context. In practice, this can lead to:

• Duplication across suppliers and frameworks
• Multiple reporting requirements in parallel
• Activity that is not fully aligned to local need

The result is not a lack of effort - but a lack of connection between activity and impact.

What place-based social value looks like

In a session I facilitated at HACT’s recent Social Value Conference, we explored place-based social value with colleagues from Link Group, Mount Anvil and Bournville Village Trust.

Despite different organisational contexts, a shared approach emerged. At its core, place-based social value is about:

• Listening to the lived experiences of communities
• Using data to understand patterns and need
• Building a shared vision for a place
• Aligning organisations and partners around that vision
• Co-designing delivery with communities, partners and suppliers

Importantly, it is not about choosing between data and lived experience. It is about using both together - data as the canvas, and lived experience as the detail that brings it to life.

What improves when it is done well

When place-based social value is delivered effectively, the difference is clear.

Duplication is reduced, with organisations working more collaboratively. Suppliers are no longer navigating fragmented requirements but contributing to shared outcomes.

Accountability also improves, shifting the focus from individual activity to collective impact. Most importantly, delivery becomes more meaningful, with activity better aligned to real community need.

Why this matters

Ultimately, place-based social value is not defined by the volume of activity delivered, but by its relevance and impact.

That means understanding place not just as a location, but as a community - shaped by people, lived experience and shared purpose.

When we get that right, social value stops being something we do and becomes something that truly makes a difference.

Find out how Fusion21 is embedding place-based social value through procurement and delivering measurable impact.