applying social return on investment to community greenspace projects

greenspace scotland has enabled 10 greenspace community groups to use a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach to measure the value of their activities. greenspace is good so prove it was a two year SROI programme supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

A report of the findings and key learning points from the programme can be found here and a summary of the report can be found here

The 10 community groups who took part in the greenspace is good - so prove it programme have been able to identify those who derive multiple benefits from taking part in their greenspace events, activities and projects and to place a financial value on them.

Key findings of the programme include:

• everyone who is involved needs to have a basic understanding of the SROI process in its simplest form - this is about measuring and valuing change
• from the outset there has to be recognition that SROI requires time, resources and commitment – it is easy to underestimate what is required
• don't try to do too much - prioritise which activities you want to analyse
• the technical aspects of SROI can discourage groups from using it. It is important to focus on building understanding
• it is important to use everyday language to define key terms and offer simple explanations of important concepts
• it is useful to illustrate the key elements of the SROI process using relevant greenspace or environmental examples

New resources developed through the programme can be found here

Information on community groups taking part and individual SROI studies can be found here

This programme was supported by the BIG Lottery Fund research programme