SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT (SROI)
CDP over 30 years
in development
 

CDP is one of the pioneers to apply Social Return On Investment (SROI) in international cooperation. Having implemented this methodology in projects in Tanzania, Rwanda, India, Ghana, Cameroon and Albania, CDP has specialised in its application and combination with existing methods of impact assessment.
What is SROI?

SROI is a methodology that makes social impact measurable and comparable to the necessary investment. It was developed to satisfy the need and desire to improve the assessment of the social and environmental impacts of activities.

The SROI-methodology generates knowledge on the priorities and motivation of stakeholders and a realistic picture of what social change is possible and needed, or that has taken place as a result of an investment.

Focus on impact
Stakeholders’ perception as a starting point
Strong co-operation with target group
Investment mentality
Transparency
SROI is not entirely new. It combines elements of existing techniques like Stakeholder Analyses, Participatory Impact Assessment and Internal Rate of Return calculations, but adds important aspects like ‘Theory of Change’ and various valuation techniques.

The methodology can be used in all stages of a project: planning, monitoring and evaluation. Moreover, it can be used for all forms of support: from one-goal projects to budget support programmes for a specific sector.