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Description
The project aims to address the gap in the existence of holistic tools for assessing the social impact of projects, actions and investments. In a changing world due to digital technology, artificial intelligence and developments in biotechnology, and in an environment where the need for protection of human rights, gender equality etc. increases along with social, cyclical and green economy, traditional tools do not address current challenges.
The gap will be addressed through the development of a tool that combines SROI (Social Return on Investment) methodology with the impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and through the provision of training/capacity building to civil society organizations on the use/application of the tool, reporting and presenting the results, and using the data for the implementation of evidence-based advocacy. Training will be provided to at least 100 staff/members/volunteers civil society organizations in Athens and Thessaloniki.
At least 10 of the trained organizations will apply the tool in a field of their interest to evaluate the social impact of projects or actions of public or private institutions, and will use the results for the implementation of advocacy actions aiming at changing policies, actions or practices, promoting rights and/or enhancing the voice of socially excluded and marginalized groups.
Upon completion of the project, at least 60 civil society organizations will have enhanced capacities to perform more effectively their monitoring role, as well as advocacy for the change of public and private policies, practices and actions.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the gap in the availability of holistic tools for assessing the social impact of projects, actions, and investments. In a changing world marked by digital technology, artificial intelligence, and advancements in biotechnology, and in an environment where the need for the protection of human rights, gender equality, etc., increased, along with a focus on social solidarity, a cyclical, and green economy, traditional tools fell short in addressing current challenges.
This gap was to be bridged through the development of a tool that combines the SROI (Social Return on Investment) methodology with the impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the project was set to provide training and capacity-building to civil society organizations on the use and application of the tool, reporting and presenting the results, and utilizing the data for evidence-based advocacy implementation.
The project aimed to develop and deliver a methodology for assessing social impact and an online tool for evaluating the social impacts of projects, actions, and investments. The necessity for creating and providing such a tool arose from the need to promote good governance, accountability, transparency, and to strengthen the supervisory role of civil society organizations in overseeing public and private entities.
To develop Archimedes, the project team implemented a series of pilot application actions of the tool, training sessions, and advocacy activities to ensure the usability of the tool. All project activities were carried out in Greece, except for one online advocacy action conducted in English to attract an international audience and engage in discussions with citizens'' organizations outside Greece about contemporary needs in social impact assessment, methods of measuring well-being, and the impact of implemented policies.
During the implementation, two online training sessions were conducted, attended by 41 civil society organizations. The project team assisted these organizations in applying the tool in their areas of interest for project or action evaluation, providing consulting support for a period of 7 months for the effective use of the evaluation tool. Simultaneously, the team utilized these interactions to develop a questionnaire with 110 questions aimed at collecting and recording additional data at the municipal level based on the needs of the organizations piloting the tool. The survey included 1,200 responses, with random sampling and population parameterization, conducted by telephone, with a completion time of 35 minutes. Finally, two online advocacy actions were held, featuring discussions on contemporary needs for social impact assessment, the role and requirements of social impact measurement for NGOs, the measurement of welfare, and the impact of policies. The first action involved institutions and organizations from all over Greece, while the second advocacy action targeted an international audience.
The project sought to address the gap in having a comprehensive tool for assessing the social impacts of projects, actions, and investments. The tool integrates the SROI (Social Return on Investment) methodology with the impacts on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Previous efforts to assess social impacts either applied the financial methodology, estimating SROI indicators, or emphasized the qualitative recording of impacts. This specific assessment tool presents a wide range of evaluation criteria and concludes with an estimation of social net present value and the social internal rate of return. It can conduct both ex-ante (prospective) and ex-post (retrospective) evaluations, allowing for awareness and identification of values generated by capital allocation from any source and for any purpose, thereby creating a more effective system of social oversight.
The existence of a scientifically substantiated tool that quantifies social impact and provides reliable information has multiple positive outcomes. It enhances the knowledge and capabilities of civil society organizations trained to evaluate the actions of public and private entities, present results, and use them for evidence-based advocacy, aiming to change policies, actions, and practices, advocate for rights, and/or strengthen the "voice" and increase the influence of socially marginalized and excluded groups.
In the long run, an increasing number of citizens will become sensitized to issues of social value and social impact, and gradually, the need to present social impacts will become a prerequisite for decision-making and a means of social control. Additionally, it will empower civil society organizations to strengthen their supervisory role in overseeing public and private entities, contributing to the decision-making process for public policies as well as private actions.