One of Bradford’s major employers is backing a new scheme to help caring local firms get the official recognition they deserve and improve their chances of winning new contracts.

Provident Financial has become the lead partner in Raising the Bar, an initiative launched by Bradford Chamber of Commerce to help small and medium companies receive accreditation and official recognition of their efforts to support the local economy and their corporate social responsibility activities.

It is hoped the move will not only boost companies’ corporate reputation but also help them win contracts where CSR activity is becoming increasingly important to a successful tender.

Businesses registering for Raising the Bar will be assessed on their contribution in four categories of community, economy, education and environment.

Unlike larger schemes, apprenticeship schemes and buying products and services locally will be counted as valuable socially responsible contributions. Neither will firms have to be active in each category to have their efforts recognised.

Raising the Bar will also provide a project-matching service to help firms boost their CSR activities and credentials.

Carolyn Coleman, the chamber’s business services manager, said: “Hundreds of Bradford businesses do a lot of good work across the district yet they fail to get the recognition deserved.

“This scheme has been created especially for small to medium companies. It will allow them to take part in something that is not only inclusive of all sizes of business, but offers up meaningful activities that impact upon the places in which we all live and work.

“We are confident that those who take part in the accreditation scheme will reap the important additional benefit that official certification can bring when bidding for tenders.

“Many companies will award contracts to businesses that can demonstrate their corporate social responsibility activities. The stamp of approval brought by Raising the Bar could mean the difference between winning and losing a lucrative contract.”

Participating firms will be evaluated throughout the year and receive a certificate that denotes their level of accreditation – bronze, silver or gold. All participants will also be entered into an annual awards ceremony to celebrate their company’s achievements.

Other scheme backers include Incommunities, Rex Procter & Partners, Rance Booth Smith, Thorite, Tandem Marketing and HC Slingsby.

Rob Lawson, Provident’s CSR manager, said: “Raising the Bar reflects our desire to reach out to the smaller businesses in Bradford and support them to continue to make a contribution to creating a sustainable local economy.

“Small businesses don’t always recognise that what they do in their everyday activities makes a significant difference to their local community and wider economy.”

For more information on Raising the Bar, contact Janette Gudgeon on (01274) 230089.