October 9, 2025
Why ‘S’ in ESG is the missing piece (and how Investors in Community can help you prove it).
From the 1st of October 2025, social value is mandatory in UK procurement under PPN 002. Add in the EU’s new rules: the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the direction of travel is clear: every business in a value chain (no matter how big or small) will be expected to prove its impact.
Most companies already have systems in place to manage the “E” in ESG (measuring carbon emissions, resource use, biodiversity and climate impact). But the “S” often gets left behind. How do you evidence contributions to communities, fair work, equality, or wellbeing in a way that’s standardised, auditable and trusted?
That’s where Investors in Community (IIC) comes in.
Why the “S” matters more than ever
Both PPN 002 and the EU directives push procurement teams to score bids on more than price. They want proof of:
- Jobs and apprenticeships created
- Support for community wellbeing
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Tackling economic inequality
If you can’t measure and prove these things, you risk losing business, even if your environmental reporting is watertight.
How IIC completes the ESG picture
IIC plugs the gap in existing ESG systems by focusing on the “S.” The platform allows you to:
- Track every act of giving (volunteering, donations, pro bono work, gifts in kind)
- Produce real-time, auditable reports for procurement and stakeholders
- Verify social value with blockchain-backed data
- Align with the UK’s five social value themes and international reporting standards
Think of IIC as the trusted partner that sits alongside your existing “E” systems, giving you a complete, compliant and competitive ESG story.
The bottom line
Environmental data is only half the picture. With new legislation here, the social side of ESG is no longer optional. Companies that can prove their social value will win contracts, attract partners and strengthen supply chains.
IIC makes that proof simple, reliable and cost-effective.
Are you ready to complete your ESG compliance?
