Social Value UK

Topic: Poverty

Turkish Red Crescent Society Soup Kitchens SROI Report

“Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) has been a major contributor to the operation of soup kitchens and food aid programs in Türkiye. In 2022, an average of 42,300 people benefited from 33 TRCS soup kitchens and 12,605,506 plates of meals were distributed in total (TRCS Annual Activity Report, 2022).

While measuring the impact of the TRCS soup kitchens, SROI analysis is used as a framework. The SROI analysis used here is Evaluative and covers 13 domestic fixed TRCS soup kitchens’ 1 year operation period from October 2022 to September 2023. The focus of the analysis is basically to understand the changes that stakeholder groups have experienced. In TRCS Soup Kitchens SROI Report, two phases of data collection were conducted; firstly, a qualitative phase in which a sample from stakeholder groups were involved in conversations, and then a quantitative phase in which a larger sample of main beneficiary group were involved.”

“One of the notable results of the research is that 63% of the beneficiaries prefer regular cash payment/shopping card or food materials as a form of alternative food aid. This group gives much more value to cook their meals at home and according to their taste preferences/diets. For this reason, they prefer to be provided with financial support rather than ready-cooked hot meal help. By selecting alternative food aid activities at the tactical level, TRCS can diversify its service and in this way, optimise impacts on wellbeing for all materially affected stakeholders.

The SROI ratio of the study was found as 1:1.63. That means for every 1 TRY invested for TRCS soup kitchens, 1.63 TRY of social value is created each year for stakeholders. This result shows that TRCS soup kitchens created added value and achieved their short, medium, and long-term goals of Theory of Change.

This report is the first social impact measurement of the TRCS soup kitchens. As it is the first evaluation analysis, the main aim was to develop the framework for future systematic data collection. Through illustrating what outcomes are most important to stakeholders, this study can help TRCS soup kitchens to put actions in place where it matters, to continue to increase and maximise the positive social value created.”

11/03/2024
Social Return on Investment forecast report of Plinkr

The solution of Plinkr

Plinkr was founded in Eindhoven in 2017. The mission of this social enterprise is ‘to help every resident with financial problems towards a life free of money worries’. To this end, Plinkr developed digital solutions, in collaboration with experts, experience experts and based on thorough research in the social domain. One of these solutions is called ‘the Hub’. The Hub is a scalable solution for outflow and aftercare of people in debt in the Netherlands. In the hub trajectory a ‘blended-learning’ process is combined with personal support provided by a local budget coach and an official administrator. It is a standardized process which maintains customization for participant through a modular approach. The offer of Plinkr’s Hub focuses specifically on strengthening the financial self-sufficiency of residents in the context of increased outflow from protective guardianship.

The digital trajectory is paid by the municipalities, who appoint an official administrators and coach for residents in custody. The trajectory takes place in an online environment where clients, specialists and coaches work together. Over about six months, participants work to build the skills and self-confidence needed to get back to managing their own finances, with help from a local financial coach. This local financial coach can be appointed by the municipality, the administrator or -when needed- can be engaged by Plinkr itself.

After a first baseline measurement, the ‘Mesis’ is used to measure the progress of the program. The Mesis helps, the parties involved, to determine the participant’s skills, knowledge and motivation that are necessary for healthy financial behaviour. The Mesis is also used, to determine after 6 months, whether the participant’s custody can be responsibly terminated. To this end, the Hub generates a report recording the course and results of the trajectory.

During the trajectory, participants are given assignments in 5 themes that help to develop appropriate competencies. The themes varies from ‘sufficient income, saving, organising money matters, spending responsibly, to be prepared for (un)foreseen events’. In addition, 10 sessions with the local financial coach are provided. Furthermore, at the start, middle and end of the program, consultation moments take place between the coach, the participant and the official administrator. The personal findings of the various parties and the results of the Mesis screening, support the introductory meeting and the joint mid-term and final evaluations. The results and the different personal findings are included in the final report, which is transferred to the district judge for making a decision of the termination and/or continuation of the guardianship. More information (in Dutch) on Plinkr and the Hub, can be found at the following link.

Scope of this SROI

This assignment was carried out at the request of Shaping Impact Group, a social impact fund investingin Plinkr. The assignment consists of preparing an evaluation of the SROI for the year 2022 and calculatethe forecasted SROI for the years 2023 and 2024, based on the results of the evaluative SROI analysisof the year 2022.

21/02/2024
Women Farmers’ Entrepreneurial Loan SROI Analysis
According to the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers , a total of 4,515,000 people are employed in agriculture, of which 40% or 1,782,000 are women. However, despite the fact that in rural areas, women are indeed the link between the field and the food on the table, their wage is less than that of men.

Nevertheless, in today’s ‘new world order’, women increasingly play a key role in the transformation of agriculture, rural development and food security. A strong woman means a strong society.

In 2021, Tekfen Foundation launched the “Women Farmers’ Entrepreneurial Loan” project in cooperation with TISVA (Türkiye İsrafı Önleme Vakfı – Turkish Foundation for Waste Reduction) and Toros Tarım (a Tekfen Holding group company of) to support women farmers in order to empower women in agriculture.

The primary aim is to support women who intend to farm but do not have the necessary financial resource (capital) to start their own small agricultural enterprises. In addition to providing financial support, the project also provides basic agricultural training, training in Occupational Health and Safety and on-site consultancy on their fields with the expert contribution of Toros Tarım’s agricultural engineers. TISVA is leading the entire operation of allocating and collecting the loan, while also contributing with a %25 percent additional fund to Tekfen’s financing.

As of April 2021, 80 women in the Aegean provinces of Manisa, Aydın, Nazilli, İzmir, Denizli and Soma received TRY 625.000 in loans as the first beneficiaries of the newly launched programme.

The project provides very low-cost loans to women farmers to support income-generating activities in agriculture so that women can farm on their own and stand on their own feet.

Additionally, other objectives of the project are;
- Identifying demands and needs,
- To see how much of the short-term changes in the Theory of Change have been realised and whether there are indications that medium and long-term changes will occur,
- Encouraging other companies to contribute to the funding, and thus increase the number of women farmers who benefit from the loans and expand geographically as well.
About the report

This report includes the social impact measurement of the Microfinance for Women Farmers Project covering one year period, 2021, of its operations. The SROI (Social Return on Investment) analysis is used as a framework based on eight principles of the SROI that are reflected in the whole report. In accordance with these principles, all information about the Project’s social impact measurement is stated with transparency.

Purpose and Target Audience

This analysis targets two main audience groups; internal stakeholder (management level) and external stakeholders (local authority, agricultural sector, collaborating institutions and other companies that are looking for an opportunity to contribute to the agricultural sector).

The purpose of the analysis is basically to understand the changes that stakeholders have experienced as a result of the Project’s activities. Understanding changes with all aspects, positive, negative, intended and unintended, will inform decisions in much better way to optimize the value of the Project.

The purpose of the analysis regarding external stakeholders is to communicate outcomes of the Project and to collaborate in order to decrease negative outcomes and increase positive ones where possible.

Scope & Boundaries

This is the very first SROI Analysis of the Project spanning one year (March 2021 – April 2022) – of its activities, outcomes and impact. As such, the focus of the analysis is on the main stakeholders (women farmers) who benefited from microcredit. In order to manage impact and optimise value, the first step is to understand what changes have occurred for those stakeholders. Value creation for collaborating institutions means better future collaborations to optimise impact.

As mentioned, this report covers analysis of the first year of the Project. The first year was the pilot scheme. This analysis will provide the basis of the investors’ decision with regards to the future of the Project. Therefore, this first social impact analysis’ scope is limited with the women farmers and the collaborating institutions.

Type of SROI Analysis: Evaluative
09/10/2023
A Social Return on Investment Analysis on the Impact of DIAL House

“This evaluation aimed to identify the outcomes experienced by young adults who are service users of DIAL House and to explore the value of these outcomes relative to the cost of achieving them. The report was developed for Novas, who aim to use the findings to further develop the service and to maximise outcomes for young people in the future. This report may also be of interest to other stakeholders, particularly funders and decisions makers, who are equally concerned with understanding the needs and concerns of young people leaving care and improving provisions for all young people at-risk of homelessness in Ireland.”

17/02/2021
SROI of Taiwan Dream Project on Dahu Community

Taiwan Dream Project is supported by the annual CTBC Financial Holding charity campaign, Light Up a Life, and the goal of the project is guaranteeing the rights on underprivileged children. Since 2015, when this Project was started, the project has cared for children living in remote rural areas of Taiwan. The project’s concept is “the community’s children is our children”, and the goal is to use the power of local community residents to provide adequate companionship after class, comprehensive array of courses, and healthy meals to skip-generation families, new immigrant parents, and single parents with relatively limited resources in the community.

30/01/2018
The Furniture Scheme Social Impact Report

“TFS was started in 1994 to address a growing need to find a way to reuse and recycle unwanted household items. The work of the scheme has directly placed resources into the homes of some of the most excluded members of our community, ensuring these people can begin to build an independent life and home without increasing debt.

TFS still works to relieve poverty and eliminate discrimination, but this is much wider than the original remit of providing low cost household equipment and protecting the environment (through the 3Rs – reduce, recycle and reuse). TFS now provides volunteer, training and employment opportunities; and manages community centres as part of creating sustainable communities.”

24/03/2017
Giving World Online and its impact

“Giving World is a national charity whose objective is to enhance people’s life chances and to tackle poverty through the distribution of free surplus goods. It does this through a network of donors and distribution partners.

In 2015 Giving World distributed 73 tonnes of goods worth £710k1, making a positive difference to up to 297,985 beneficiaries in the UK and overseas.2 The majority (66%) of the goods were distributed in the UK valued at £434k (61% of the total value), benefiting some 222,264 beneficiaries.

Giving World’s activities target more disadvantaged groups in society: people with health problems, families on low incomes, children, young people, homeless people, unemployed individuals or elderly people – all groups that are at higher risk of poverty. This report focuses therefore on the impact Giving World has on its beneficiaries, who are generally part of more vulnerable economic / social groups.

The goods distributed include basic necessities (such as food and clothing) and other useful commodities such as education materials, toys for children, books or personal hygiene goods. Because of the nature, some of the goods have the ability to fulfil the everyday needs of people as well as enhance the lives of people who, in many cases, would be unable to buy such goods on the market had the Charity not existed.

Even though Giving World’s activities extend outside the UK, this analysis focuses on beneficiaries in the UK.”

24/03/2017
SROI analysis of the apple collection point at Chausal

09/03/2016
Valuing Potential: An SROI analysis on Columba 1400

09/03/2016