
SROI – Social Return on Investment
Measure what truly matters - SROI
Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a powerful framework to measure and communicate the true value created by your social initiatives.Â
Explore Social ROI & Impact consulting solutions for measurable change.

What is SROI?
Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a framework to measure and express the full value created by a social or development project. It converts social, environmental, and economic outcomes into financial equivalents, enabling better comparison, communication, and decision-making.
SROI helps stakeholders understand the social returns on investment in simple financial terms—how much value is being created for every rupee invested.
SROI solutions we offer
At Consultivo, we offer two core Social Return on Investment (SROI) services tailored to your needs. Whether you are evaluating a single initiative or measuring the collective impact of multiple programmes in one location, we have you covered.
1. Project-level Social ROI
This is an in-depth analysis of the social, environmental, and economic outcomes of a single project over a specific period. It helps you assess performance, demonstrate accountability, and plan future interventions.
- Ideal for
- Single thematic area based intervention projects like Skill development programmes, Health or education initiatives, Women empowerment or livelihood projects etc
- CSR or foundation-funded standalone projects
2. Composite Social ROI – Location-based
Composite SROI is designed for areas where multiple social initiatives run in parallel. We assess the collective outcomes of these projects within a catchment, location, or community, providing a consolidated view of return on social investment.
- Ideal for
- Industrial belt CSR initiatives
- Multi-stakeholder programmes in a single geography around a plant catchment area
- Corporate Social Responsibility hubs and cluster-based interventions
- Integrated rural, semi urban & urban community development efforts
Beyond ratios: A new approach to Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Why choose Consultivo for SROI assessment?
Proven experience and credibility
60+
independent Social ROI studies across sectors and regions
> 500
CSR and development projects independently assessed
Deep expertise in impact assessment of CSR projects, ESG, and sustainability
Trusted by corporates, social enterprises, NGOs, foundations, impact investors and public sector bodies
Global standards with contextual expertise
We apply SROI frameworks based on global best practices, especially those developed by Social Value International, and adapt them to suit the Indian CSR and development context
Our SROI assessment process
At Consultivo, our SROI assessments follow a structured, credible, and globally aligned approach. We focus on providing meaningful insights that help organisations understand the true value of their social investments.
Key steps in our approach:
01
Understanding the project
02
Mapping outcomes and impact
03
Engaging stakeholders
04
Valuing outcomes
05
Calculating the Social Value ROI ratio
06
Reporting and recommendations
Independent SROI Consultants & Consulting Solutions
SROI enables organisations to consider their impacts of a wide range of societal issues in a quantified financial term, enabling them to be more transparent about the risks and opportunities they face.
Money is simply a common unit and as such is a useful and widely accepted way of conveying value.
GLOBAL Experience
Social ROI or SROI is about value, rather than money.
750+ clients
in over 4 continents and 19 countriesÂ
2K+ projects
across the value chain
15+ years
Partner with Confidence
Ensure every deal is built on a foundation of thorough, strategic due diligence. Our expertise helps protect investments, enhance transaction value, and promote seamless post-acquisition integration.
Let’s measure your social value
Whether you’re starting a new initiative or evaluating a running one, Consultivo can help you understand and enhance the real-world impact of your efforts.
SROI formula
We use the standard, globally accepted formula:
SROI = Present Value of Outcomes / Total Investment
Where necessary, we apply sensitivity analysis to test the strength of assumptions and model scenarios.
Key SROI principles we apply
Deadweight:
What would have happened anyway
Displacement:
Any shift of outcomes
Attribution:
Drop-off:
We adjust outcome values to their net present value using a suitable discount rate and calculate the Social Value ROI ratio.
Key features of Consultivo’s SROI approach
Our independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) assessments follow a globally aligned and evidence-driven process. Here’s what makes our approach trusted and effective:
Evidence-based SROI analysis
Independent and objective assessments
Customised and context-specific frameworks
Aligned with global and national standards
Outcome and impact-focused methodology
Social ROI and efficiency metrics
Participatory and inclusive approach
Clear and actionable reporting
Experienced, sector-diverse team
Tech-enabled delivery
About Consultivo
Consultivo is one of the leading ESG Consultants in India
An Advisory, Research, Audit & Training organisation helping global businesses in the areas of Sustainability, Business Excellence & Risk Management both at the strategic and operational levels.
Major service verticals include Safety, Sustainability, Environment & Energy, CSR, Management Systems, Organisational Development and Human Capital Development. Consultivo works with 100+ National and International Sustainability related codes, standards and guidelines.
Apart from Independent External Assurance, as a leading ESG Consultant based in India, Consultivo offers ESG Materiality Assessment and Strategy Consulting, ESG Implementation Handholding, Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement, ESG, Sustainability and BRSR Report Preparation and ESG Report Design.
Consultivo Academy offers training and capacity building services both in conventional and new age e-learning platforms.
Curiosity zone
Questions? We have answers.
What is SROI in simple terms?
Social ROI, is a method to measure and express the social value (social, environmental, and economic)Â your project(s) creates per unit of money invested.
In essence, the SROI definition is the ratio of the net present value of outcomes (the benefits) to the total investment (the inputs).
This simple metric makes it clear how effectively your resources generate real-world social value.
Consultivo is one of the leading CSR consulting firms with extensive experience in independent impact assessment of CSR projects, including SROI assessment across multiple thematic areas and geographic locations.
How to calculate SROI?
Calculating Social ROI is a structured impact measurement process guided by a clear SROI framework. Here’s how to calculate Social ROI using our robust SROI methodology:
Map and value outcomes: Identify the key social, environmental, and economic changes. Assign monetary values to each outcome using appropriate proxies.
Adjust for timing: Convert future benefits to their net present value so all outcomes are comparable.
Apply the SROI formula: SROI = Present Value of Outcomes ÷ Total Investment
Refine with SROI calculations: Account for factors such as deadweight, attribution, displacement, and drop‑off. Conduct sensitivity analysis to test assumptions.
The result is a clear social return on investment analysis ratio (for example, 3:1), which shows that for every Rs 1 (or $1) invested, Rs 3 (or $3) of social value was created.
Is SROI only for NGOs or CSR projects?
Not at all.
Social Return on Investment or social ROI is a versatile approach used by businesses, social enterprises, investors, and donors to quantify and report the social value created by any initiative, social investment project or intervention programs.
By applying a structured SROI framework, organisations can move beyond anecdotes and present a rigorous SROI Report that demonstrates how their investments drive real-world change – whether in community development, or environmental stewardship or other development indicators.
What’s the difference between forecast and evaluative SROI?
Forecast SROI is done before implementation to estimate expected impact. Evaluative SROI is based on actual results, usually post-completion or midway through the project.
Do I need specific tools for SROI?
Our SROI consultants at Consultivo use tested social impact measurement tools and a proven SROI framework, so you don’t need to invest in or configure any in‑house software.
Our proprietary tools ‘ESGSlate’ and ‘ImpactMap’ help us to manage the SROI framework.
We manage every phase – from stakeholder mapping and data collection to outcome valuation – applying the recognised SROI formula (Present Value of Outcomes ÷ Total Investment) and conducting the complete SROI calculation, including deadweight, attribution, and sensitivity analysis.
You’ll receive a clear, audit‑ready independent evaluation report without any technical setup on your end.
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