The 5 pillars of Social Value: Engaging communities

September 27, 2024

Understanding Social Value

When it comes to development, Social Value represents the wider benefits—social, economic, and environmental—that a project creates for the local community. As we see Social Value form an increasingly important topic in the discussion on placemaking, we must consider how we create social value from the outset of community engagement on every project.

This article explores the five essential pillars of community engagement for maximising social value in development projects. By fostering early engagement, incorporating sustainability, building stakeholder partnerships, ensuring inclusive design, and measuring impact, we can create meaningful connections between developers and the communities they serve.

Five Pillars of Community Engagement for Social Value

1. Early Engagement: Engaging local communities at the outset is crucial. This can be achieved through public consultations, social media surveys and stakeholder workshops, to understand the aspirations, and concerns of the local community. By fostering open dialogue from the outset, promoters can ensure that they reflect the community's priorities when progressing planning applications, building trust and collaboration.
2. Sustainable Practices: Incorporating sustainability credentials into community information material helps residents see how development positively impacts their local environment. By involving community members in decisions about eco-friendly practices (such as community growing gardens and open space), they gain a sense of ownership and pride in protecting their local surroundings. This collaborative approach not only fosters environmental stewardship but also reinforces the idea that sustainable development can enhance their quality of life and preserve their community for future generations.
3. Stakeholder Partnerships: Forming partnerships with local organizations, NGOs, and businesses can enhance community engagement, and also provide additional resources, expertise, and networks, amplifying the project's impact. Local partners can also facilitate trust and enhance community buy-in.
4. Inclusive Design: Ensuring that all community members, particularly marginalised groups, are included in the project consultation is essential. It is important to create opportunities for diverse voices to be heard through targeted outreach and engagement strategies.
5. Measuring Impact: Measuring the impact of social value is essential to demonstrate the tangible benefits that arise from community engagement. By collaboratively establishing metrics with community members, we can track improvements in well-being, economic opportunities, and environmental health. This process not only highlights the positive changes driven by local involvement but also reinforces the importance of their contributions.

Planning applications and Social Value

As local authorities place greater emphasis on social value, it becomes a key consideration in the planning permission process. Understanding that development projects should benefit the community, councils are increasingly looking for proposals that prioritise Social Value and better engagement.

Ultimately, by showcasing the tangible benefits of their projects, developers can significantly improve their chances of successful planning outcomes, and deliver better places which serve their communities.

Conclusion

Engaging communities effectively is at the heart of delivering social value in development projects. By focusing on early engagement, sustainability, stakeholder partnerships, and inclusive design, projects can create meaningful and lasting change.

These strategies not only enhance project outcomes but also empower residents to play an active role in shaping their environment, ultimately leading to more resilient and thriving communities.

If your organisation is seeking strategic guidance on stakeholder engagement and providing social value, please get in touch.

DevComms Jade Uko