At our last Network of Networks meeting on 27th June, Mhairi Duncan (Senior Commercial and Engagement Officer, The City of Edinburgh Council) spoke to us about Community Benefits and Community Wealth Building and shared examples of it working within the community. It was a hugely informative session.
She talked us through the introduction of Community Benefits Clauses in contracts which asks the client to ‘give back’ some sort of positive social change alongside the work they have been commissioned to carry out in the area. These Community Benefits can take the form in-kind support, through the delivery of training and recruitment. All this is intended to improve the social and environmental wellbeing within our City. This inward investment for the communities takes the wealth that would usually ‘leak out’ of the area by keeping it local. It is about making local areas a much more attractive place to do business, live, and socialise.
Take a look at the full presentation here: Community Benefits