UPDEED’s Post

Engaging local communities has become more paramount than ever. Corporates have the direct responsibility to work with communities and make an impact. Communities need support now more than ever due to economic pressures and social inequalities. Businesses have both the resources and the influence to make a change, particularly when it comes to filling the gaps where public funding falls short. Actively engaging with local communities in a genuine way offers an opportunity to make a positive contribution. Not only is community engagement a moral responsibility, it also directly benefits business growth. Around 80% of consumers expecting businesses to play an active role and there are regulatory requirements in place that directly assess social value. Ultimately, meaningful community engagement is the key to fostering trust and driving positive change, while also securing long-term business success. It is imperative to make a difference. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebRQaege via ActionFunder #CommunityEngagement #CorporateResponsibility #PositiveChange #LocalCommunities #MakingADifference

📢 Read the latest blog post from ECF! Delve into what it takes to deliver early and effective community engagement...written by Martin Jenic

Contains a key point for all organisations and businesses who want the voice of the stakeholder in their work. Unfortunately the difference between the two is frequently misunderstood: Engagement vs. Consultation: Understanding Their Roles. Football clubs take note. #fanengagement

Community engagement versus social value: what's the difference? It can be difficult to understand the difference between community engagement and social value, especially when the terms seem to be used interchangeably. However they are actually quite different, here are our thoughts... 🤝 Community engagement is fundamentally about nurturing relationships, encouraging inclusivity, and enhancing collaboration and trust within a community. It's about actively listening to grasp the community's needs, communicating effectively, collaborating on solutions, and empowering individuals to have a say in the decision-making process. 💰 Social value is about showing the specific, quantifiable benefits a business offers to society, often linked to public sector procurement demands. Its goal is to generate social, economic, or environmental benefits, like creating jobs, supporting community projects, and developing infrastructure projects, to fulfil contractual commitments. Social value is often measured through frameworks and metrics that assess the impact of these initiatives, ensuring transparency and accountability in delivering promised benefits. Although they overlap, community engagement and social value have distinct goals and require different approaches. Interested in finding out more about how a community engagement strategy can help your business? Follow us for more insights, tips, and updates. #communityengagement #socialvalue #ESG #CSR #makingadifference

#CommunityEngagement is not just beneficial; it's imperative for project success. By tapping into diverse perspectives, we enrich our understanding and develop better solutions. When the community feels valued, they're more likely to support and champion the project, ensuring smoother implementation. Read our blog for tips on transforming your community engagement process. 👉 https://hubs.ly/Q02lZJzf0

Community engagement is a collaborative process that involves working with community members, stakeholders, and organisations to address issues that impact the well-being and development of a community. It is a dynamic, in other words, a two-way interaction that goes beyond simply informing or consulting the community. it involves empowering community members to take an active role in decision-making, planning, and implementing solutions that affect their lives. https://lnkd.in/e3485vfT

Using digital platforms to connect with a wider audience, promote community involvement, and receive immediate feedback is crucial for empowering individuals to contribute to society and foster collaboration for sustainable solutions. https://lnkd.in/gtrsk4vS

Benefits of Community Engagement for Companies Community engagement goes farther off interaction and consultation. Companies no longer get away with engaging just a few stakeholders. Now, people want individual enterprise, unambiguity and cooperation with companies that will impact their lives, future and livelihood. Let's take a look at the benefits. ✨ Stakeholders look for genuineness - Genuine engagement where the full process and level of impact has been laid down from the beginning, with continuous guarantee and updates, builds a genuine stakeholder panel. This increases stakeholders' trust in your company and brand loyalty. ✨ Paves the way for deeper, meaningful relationships - When stakeholders are part of every level of the project, it not only increases sensibility, it builds strong relationships. From community members to industry stakeholders and employees, a journey is shared, long term trust is developed and ownership is forged. ✨ Stakeholders give back during rough patches - As companies continue to develop during tough and low times, an empowered employee will stay committed and loyal. Empowerment helps employees feel valued and a part of the bigger picture. In the long run, it's a win-win situation for the company and those involved in making it function. #communirybuilding #communitymanagement #stakeholders #communityengagement #aweleokwudarue

What’s holding you back? 🤔 We often hear businesses say they want to get more involved with their community but don’t know where to start, or they’re worried about the potential costs or challenges. The truth is community engagement doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. It’s about aligning your business values with local needs and taking actions that make a difference. What’s the biggest thing holding you back when it comes to community engagement? Let us know in the comment below! #communityengagement #communication #socialvalue #ESG #CSR #sustainability

It is far too easy to let this step slip through the cracks but it is one of the most important steps of the engagement process. Closing the loop is crucial to building long-term relationships, trust and transparency with our stakeholders. It makes them feel like their contributions are valued and worth their time. Next time you’re engaging with your communities, don’t forget to close the loop! #communityengagement #engagementstrategy #BCE #communityconsultation