Yet successful infrastructure is not measured solely by what is built. Its true value lies in the positive outcomes it creates for people and places. This is where social value becomes a critical part of project delivery.
Creating Lasting Value for Communities Through Infrastructure
08 Sep 26
Infrastructure shapes the way we live, work and connect. From energy networks and water resources to transport systems and digital connectivity, the projects delivered today will help underpin economic growth, environmental resilience and community wellbeing for generations to come.
Yet successful infrastructure is not measured solely by what is built. Its true value lies in the positive outcomes it creates for people and places. This is where social value becomes a critical part of project delivery.
Employment, skills and training plans are one practical way of translating social value ambitions into clear and tangible commitments for local communities. They are developed in partnership with a range of stakeholders and set out commitments for employing local people, taking on apprenticeships, engaging with schools and creating supply chain opportunities for local businesses. For major infrastructure projects these commitments can lead to a range of positive outcomes for local communities and Iceni has extensive experience in developing these plans and supporting their implementation.
At Iceni, we offer a comprehensive social value service and are working on a range of projects that bring together our expertise in economics, place and community engagement. We ensure that the initiatives put in place reflect the community’s priorities and respond to identified local need. Through this process, we help strengthen relationships between our clients, key partners and communities, while delivering meaningful local benefits that residents can see and experience.
We do this by combining the knowledge we gather from the community and our local partners with our desk-based research and sector best practice, to ensure that the social value we create has maximum impact where it is needed. This is particularly important for communities experiencing disruption as a result of major infrastructure projects. While the wider benefits of infrastructure can sometimes feel distant, social value provides an opportunity to create more immediate and tangible benefits for the people and places affected.
Taking the time to understand what could genuinely improve people’s lives – whether through jobs and skills, opportunities for young people, support for local businesses or investment in community priorities – can make a significant difference.
Iceni was pleased to have recently supported CJ Associates in their Key Insights Report 5 on Securing Social Impact and Community Benefit CJ Associates Key Insights Copy.
Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss how we can help you deliver meaningful social value initiatives or develop skills, employment and training plans for your project.
Anna Sutherland-Bamber
Director,Development Consent Orders
Matt Kinghan
Director,Economics,Development Consent Orders
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Creating Lasting Value for Communities Through Infrastructure
08 Sep 26 | Anna Sutherland-Bamber