The Alliance has responded to this by adapting and simplifying a Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to be used at a community level.
A SROI study has now been completed as part of the end evaluation of an EC supported project, which was implemented by KHANA in Cambodia. It showed an impressive 73% social return on investment.
What is Social Return on Investment?
When we try to ascertain the value of a social or health improvement programme there are many aspects which cannot be captured in purely economic terms.
SROI is a form of analysis which aims to give a broader concept of value, it assigns monetary figures to the outcomes of such programmes.
SROI looks at the social, health, environmental and economic benefits of a programme. A calculation can then be made showing the cost to benefit ratio, which indicates the return on investment of a particular programme.
KHANA integrated care and prevention programme (ICP)
The ICP programme ran from 2007-2011. The study examined the return on investment of the integrated care and prevention support for people living with HIV and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
The programme aimed to give community based care and support taking a holistic approach to the varied needs of individuals and communities.
The study found that the highest value outcome of the programme was greater understanding and ability of caregivers to support people living with HIV and OVC. This in turn contributed to a better quality of life for people living with HIV and OVC.
You can read more in a summary of the report, ‘Doing more with less’.