SAP India Launches Social Procurement Initiative That Aligns with Govt's GeM, ONDC and Make In India Programs

SAP India has launched a Social Procurement Initiative aimed at empowering social enterprises by integrating them into corporate value chains. This initiative aligns with government programs like GeM and ONDC, and aims to foster innovation, drive equitable economic development, and support sustainable practices.

SAP India cited a World Economic Forum. report that said that India is home to more than 2 million social enterprises, with close to 25% led by women, making it one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial environments globally. This is a nascent space with significant potential as evidence highlights; businesses are seeing positive business and social outcomes emerging from their supply chain inclusion and sustainability programs.

The newly launched initiative on social procurement is aligned with the Government of India’s (GoI) interventions including the Government eMarketplace (GeM), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Make in India, and promotion of Farmer’s Producer Organizations (FPOs).

Key Highlights:

Empowering Social Enterprises: SAP aims to enable corporate procurement from social enterprises, which can positively impact communities and the environment while helping companies achieve their CSR, diversity, and sustainability goals.

Supporting Key Government Programs: The initiative supports programs like Government eMarketplace (GeM), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Make in India, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

Sustainable Manufacturing: SAP will collaborate with impact businesses to prioritize ethical manufacturing and responsible production.

Innovation and Local Entrepreneurship: By partnering with incubators, SAP aims to foster innovation and scale sustainable businesses.

Empowering Farmers: SAP’s initiatives include supporting FPOs to enhance their market readiness, enabling small farmers to access new markets and secure stable incomes.

This initiative underscores SAP's commitment to embedding ethical and sustainable practices into business operations, transforming procurement decisions into opportunities that uplift communities and drive equitable growth.