Script occasionally used to open new windows
New Economics Founcation - Return to homepage New Economics Foundation  
about useconomicsenvironmentsocietydo itnewspublicationslinkscontact us[text-only]
valuing what matters
social return on investment (SROI)
SROI and public policy
SROI: commissioning for public benefit
index of sustainable economic welfare (ISEW)
lm3
search nef
hot topics
real world economics
ghost town britain
well-being

valuing what matters

soc5.jpg

What gets counted, counts. nef is redefining approaches to value and measurement so that those things that matter most to people, communities and to achieving a sustainable planet are made visible and measurable.

Practices of measurement and valuation are still often focused narrowly and on the short term. Sometimes things that are easy to count, outputs, are the things that get measured and thereby valued. Instead nef believes measures should be focused on outcomes and how lives, communities or the environment changes as a result of policy.

Our approach focuses on a 'triple bottom line' where returns from investment are evaluated by their longer-term social, environmental and economic returns.  These can be used across the public, private and third sector. nef works with a number of tools to measure and account for value.

social return on investment (SROI)
Conventional financial returns do not capture the social benefits of projects and programmes
SROI and public policy
nef has used SROI methodology to assess government decision on criminal justice, economic development and children in care
SROI: commissioning for public benefit
Social return on investment can help commissioners make more informed decision on public spending.
index of sustainable economic welfare (ISEW)
Our approach to evaluation is based on participation and strengthening capacity
lm3
lm3 is a measuring tool that enables anyone to assess how a particular business or initiative impacts the local economy, and how to improve that impact
join us

Join nef online or make a donation

nef newsletter sign-up

Register now!

clone town fight back newsletter sign-up

Register now!

related

at nef
prove and improve: quality and impact website
The triple bottom line

Publications
Seven principles for measuring what matters: A guide to effective public policy-making
Measuring value: A guide to Social Return on Investment
A guide to Social Return on Investment

contacts

Eilís Lawlor