By Jo Holmes, Genee
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is fast becoming a core expectation of doing business. Across the North East, organisations are feeling increasing pressure from customers, stakeholders, investors and employees to demonstrate meaningful action, not just intent. But while ambition is high, delivery can often feel complex, fragmented, or disconnected from real impact.
From our combined perspectives at Genee Consulting Ltd and Keepl Social, one challenge stands out: the gap between businesses striving to create social value and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that urgently need support.
Building ESG from the ground up
Genee and Keepl met at the NE Public Sector Sustainable & Social Value Supplier Event, where regional buyers and suppliers discussed supply chain expectations on environmental and social impact, and shared how suppliers are already taking action to meet them.
For many organisations, the starting point is environmental responsibility. Through the Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation, Genee supports businesses to develop environmental management systems that genuinely work for them. This isn’t about ticking boxes or adding another burden to already stretched teams, it’s about embedding practical, achievable actions that deliver measurable benefits.
When implemented effectively, iiE helps organisations uncover efficiencies, reduce costs, and strengthen their reputation. Crucially, it also encourages businesses to look beyond environmental performance alone, recognising the wider ESG picture, including the additional projects and initiatives that create real value both internally and externally.
The Missing Link: social value in practice
It is within this broader ESG landscape that many organisations encounter a challenge. Businesses are increasingly motivated to give back, whether through volunteering days, skills sharing, or community investment, but often struggle to identify where their efforts will have the greatest impact.
At the same time, VCSE organisations across the North East are under increasing pressure. Demand for their services continues to grow, yet resources remain limited. Many lack the networks, visibility or capacity to connect with businesses that are actively looking to support causes like theirs.
The result is a disconnect – willingness on one side, need on the other, but no clear or efficient way to bring them together.
Connecting business with community
This is where platforms like Keepl Social are transforming the landscape. By digitising and simplifying the social value process, Keepl Social enables businesses to move from intention to action with far greater ease and clarity.
Through a single platform, organisations can connect with real-time, hyperlocal community needs, ensuring that their efforts are targeted, relevant and impactful. Whether it’s a team volunteering day, donating resources, or offering professional expertise, businesses can align their contributions with genuine demand in the communities where they operate.
For VCSE organisations, the benefits are equally significant. They gain a space to showcase their needs, access support more efficiently, and build lasting relationships with businesses, strengthening their capacity to deliver vital services over the long term.
Creating value where it matters most
Michelle Jones, CSIO of Keepl Social, said “with Buyers now requiring evidence-backed Social Value, accounting for up to 30% weighting in bids, and explicitly stating they will only work with those actively working towards Net Zero, it’s crucial that suppliers can access support to meet these demands. It was great to meet Genee and align our shared values in supporting businesses effectively and efficiently.”
When environmental frameworks like iiE are combined with practical tools that unlock social impact, ESG becomes far more than a reporting requirement. Businesses begin to see tangible benefits, such as stronger employee engagement, improved brand reputation, and deeper community connections. More importantly, they can see the difference they are making, often right on their own doorstep.
To get support to develop an environmental management system which works for your organisation, get in touch at jo@genee.org.uk, and to discover more about Keepl Social, contact michelle.jones@keepl.com