IRES Joins the Buy Social Pledge

Integrated Regional Employability & Skills (IRES) has officially joined the Buy Social Pledge, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive growth, fair work and stronger communities across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region.

The Buy Social Pledge brings together businesses, public sector organisations, academic institutions and SMEs that are committed to using their purchasing power to create positive social and economic impact. By encouraging organisations to include social enterprises within their supply chains, the initiative helps generate opportunities for local communities while supporting more sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

IRES joins more than 50 organisations that have signed the pledge, demonstrating a shared commitment to strengthening Community Wealth Building across the region. Through the initiative, organisations pledge to consider social enterprises when purchasing goods and services, helping to keep wealth circulating within local communities, support ethical employment opportunities and ensure that economic value is reinvested for social and environmental benefit.

This commitment aligns closely with the values and ambitions of the IRES programme. Social enterprises and socially minded businesses play an important role in creating inclusive economic opportunities, tackling inequalities and delivering positive outcomes for local people and places. By working with organisations that prioritise social value, IRES aims to help build a stronger, more resilient regional economy that benefits communities across South East Scotland.

As part of this work, the ESES Communities Team developed its Social Business Directory, a resource designed to connect buyers with social enterprises and encourage greater collaboration and spending within the sector. The directory provides organisations with an accessible way to identify social enterprises that can meet their procurement needs while supporting wider community outcomes.

Commenting on the announcement, Rona Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Capital City Partnership and IRES Board Vice Chair, said:

“The IRES programme is proud to support and champion the Buy Social Pledge as part of our ongoing commitment to Community Wealth Building through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

Social Enterprises and socially minded businesses alike play a vital role in creating inclusive economic opportunities, tackling inequalities, and generating positive outcomes for local people and places. In recognition of this, our Social Business Directory has been developed to help connect buyers with social enterprises and encourage greater spending and collaboration in this important sector.

Through initiatives such as the Buy Social Pledge, we can use our collective enabling and purchasing power to maximise social value, support thriving communities, and build a stronger regional economy.”

The signing of the Buy Social Pledge marks another important step in IRES's efforts to promote inclusive growth and strengthen partnerships that deliver lasting benefits for communities across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region. By supporting social enterprises and embedding social value within procurement decisions, IRES is helping to create opportunities that contribute to both economic prosperity and community wellbeing.

How to get involved with IRES

The IRES 2027+ Pledge invites all stakeholders, partners, employers, organisations and individuals across the region to support the continued development of the Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) Programme beyond 2027.

By signing, you are endorsing the vision set out in the IRES 2027+ Proposal and the importance of a coordinated regional approach to skills.

You can sign the pledge here.