May 2026
Social Value is one of the ways the Council gets more for the people of Manchester. Every time we buy goods and services, we make sure that this also strengthens our communities, supports our local economy, and moves us towards becoming a zero‑carbon city.
This newsletter will update you on our social value work, celebrate good practice, and share opportunities to collaborate. In this issue, we introduce our city’s new Climate Change Action Plan and highlight some local partnership opportunities.
Social Value Spotlight
Manchester Climate Ready Plan (2025–2030)
Manchester City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and we are making great progress with our mission to become a zero-carbon organisation by 2038 - reducing our emissions by 64% over the last 15 years. Direct emissions from the city (Manchester as a whole) have not fallen in line with the city’s ambition. They fell by 48% from 2005 to 2023. Now, the city risks using more than its carbon budget in the next five years. As a city, we must come together to do more and faster. The city has a new five-year plan to tackle climate change called Manchester Climate Ready (MCR): The Plan.
The Council will work with partners across the city to support the MCR plan. At the same time, we'll continue to lower direct emissions from our organisation. How we'll do it is set out in the Council's new five-year climate change action plan.
We need the support of our cross-sector partners, and there are a range of practical initiatives you can get involved in to improve your environmental impact:
 Social value exists to improve local economic, social, and environmental wellbeing – and these areas are interconnected. Communities that experience higher levels of poverty are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and often live in neighbourhoods with fewer green spaces and higher levels of pollution. To address this, our Climate Ready Plan focuses on a ‘socially just transition’ to becoming zero carbon, and it incorporates economic aspects too - such as lowering energy bills and growing the green jobs sector.
If you are looking to work with us (or if you already do!), you’ll know that we assign 20% of the scores in all tenders to social value, and an additional 10% score weighting to Zero Carbon commitments. This really can change which organisation is awarded a Manchester City Council contract and reflects how seriously we take this agenda.
Download the new Climate Change Action Plan and join the 500+ organisations who are part of our movement to make Manchester a Zero Carbon City!
Something to celebrate
Demos highlights Manchester’s social value approach in a new report on inclusive growth
Manchester was selected as one of four good-practice case studies. Demos focuses on the city’s social value work and highlights the city’s strength in partnership working. The report argues for the creation of ‘economies of co-ordination’, fostering systems and linkages between small employers and a range of participants to pool resources and boost local economic growth. Economies of co-ordination: Unlocking growth and opportunities
Trustmarque and Reform Radio
Trustmarque are one of Manchester City Council’s IT suppliers. As part of their social value contribution, they partnered with Reform Radio to support their DJ programme. They have covered travel costs so that a wide group of young people can enjoy hands-on training in DJing, music production and broadcasting – building confidence and employability.
A community-owned social value fund
North Manchester is undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime regeneration, and all the partners involved have pulled together to deliver an ambitious local social value plan. This year, Manchester City Council and the Far East Consortium have established a new community fund to channel benefits to local residents. This fund is owned by the community and facilitated by a local charity, Winning Hearts and Minds, who support a decision-making panel of community representatives.
So far, three funding rounds have been completed - distributing a total of £9,800 to a range of community-led activities across Cheetham, Harpurhey, and Miles Platting & Newton Heath. The Community Fund supports grassroots initiatives and provides valuable insight into the groups and needs within these neighbourhoods: empowering local communities, strengthening local networks, and giving residents greater influence over the social value initiatives taking place in their area.
Opportunities to collaborate
Pop into The Generator
The Generator is built for collaboration, with its two enterprise hubs at St Peter’s Square and Royal Mills in Ancoats. Supported by the GMCA and Manchester City Council, it provides start-up workspaces and free business support to help organisations establish, grow and thrive. It also has podcasting and photography equipment and a vibrant community feel. To find out more, please visit: generatormcr.org/
Looking for room hire that also supports local communities?
Gorton Central offers a range of modern meeting spaces and workshop rooms. Every room booking helps sustain this welcoming, community-led space, which includes a beautiful garden for everyone to enjoy. Please email info@hmhc.co.uk for more information, and take a virtual tour here: Gorton Central HMHC Video
For the love of books
Manchester Libraries Trust is dedicated to supporting activities that enhance the vibrant and award-winning Manchester Libraries service – in all libraries across the city. The Trust supports community outreach, educational programmes, cultural events, archive work and literacy initiatives that empower residents and enhance the role of libraries as vital community hubs. Contact Brendan to get involved: brendan.oshea1010@gmail.com
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