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Social Procurement: Fostering Inclusivity and Community Prosperity

Oct 11th, 2023 | Posted In : General Operations 

In 2021, the University of Toronto’s Procurement Services embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of the Social Procurement pilot program.

This initiative was born out of a commitment to provide equitable procurement opportunities for businesses owned by marginalized communities, including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and more.

Since then, the program has made significant strides, driven by the following core goals:

  • Foster an inclusive economy, reduce poverty, and create employment opportunities
  • Support local businesses and stimulate local economy
  • Energize arts, heritage, and culture initiatives
  • Enhance the cultural vibrancy of our campus and community
  • Prioritize inclusion and diversity in the supply chain
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How does Social Procurement work?

At its core, it’s about providing procurement opportunities to typically underrepresented suppliers who may not be aware of, or have previously been overlooked for, potential business opportunities.

To facilitate this process, a regularly updated list of diverse suppliers is available through the Diverse Supplier Portal, a directory of social enterprises, diverse/equity-deserving, and local suppliers.

For more information, see Social Procurement.