Procurement

Useful information on procurement and tendering for contracts

SELNET

SELNET procurement services for the third sector. A free resource that-

Provides access to information on public and commercial sector contracts

Develops contracting through consortia

Shares good practice

Develops established social enterprises and new social enterprise start-ups, through access to new trading opportunities. Website: http://www.selnetprocurement-uk.com

SELNET Trade Directory - 2007-08

To support the Lancashire social enterprise sector SELNET has developed this Trade Directory, the first of its kind for Lancashire, with support from the Northwest Development Agency and Lancashire County Developments Ltd. It will be added to on a regular basis so keep coming back to view organisations delivering services throughout Lancashire and in many cases outside the region.

http://www.selnetprocurement-uk.com/news_events.asp

The Chest, the North West's Local Authority Procurement Portal

The Chest has been created with funding from the North West Centre of Excellence to bring together buyers and suppliers making it easier for businesses to find out about new sources of potential revenue and to grow and develop to the benefit of the local economy. Local Authorities in the north west currently spend between £6bn and £6.5bn each year on goods and services so they could provide long-term stability for local businesses. Suppliers can register online via the Suppliers' Area to receive email updates on opportunities that match their capabilities. Suppliers can reduce tendering costs by registering their interest in opportunities online.

http://www.thechest.nwce.gov.uk/cms/cms.nsf/vHomePage/fSection?OpenDocument

The Finance Hub

The Finance Hub was set up as part of the government's ChangeUp programme, funded by Capacitybuilders to increase capacity in the sector, it is one of six National Hubs offering support and information. CAF is the accountable body for the Finance Hub. Funding for the Finance Hub has been confirmed until March 2008. Useful pdfÕs to download include: Guide to Financial Management, Guide to Fundraising, Guide to Loans, Guide to Procurement, Guide to Sustainable Funding, Guide to Trading, Other useful information includes: Trading, Social Enterprise, Full Cost Recovery, Legal Structures, Setting up a Constitution Download at Website: www.financehub.org.uk