Securing social impact and community benefit: From ambition to delivery

Social impact and community benefit have become defining priorities for infrastructure projects. But while the sector has made significant progress, the conversation is changing.

The question is no longer whether social impact matters. It is how projects can deliver meaningful outcomes that are valued by communities, embedded within project delivery and sustained long after construction has finished.

Over the past year, CJ Associates has spoken with 30 leaders from across the infrastructure sector, representing developers, consultants, contractors, local authorities and infrastructure organisations. Their insights reveal a sector moving beyond aspiration and towards a more mature conversation about delivery, governance, measurement and long-term legacy.

In this webinar held on 16 September 2026, six contributors to the research explored the report‘s key findings, shared their own perspectives and discussed what needs to happen next if infrastructure is to create lasting value for people and places.