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.

Explore Social ROI & Impact consulting solutions for measurable change.

What you will find here

Home / Social & Sustainability Solutions / SROI – Social Return on Investment

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.

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.

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:

Understanding the project

We begin by reviewing your project’s objectives, activities, and stakeholder landscape to set the right direction for the assessment.

Mapping outcomes and impact

We identify what changes have occurred, who experienced them, and how these outcomes align with the project goals.

Engaging stakeholders

Input from primary and secondary stakeholders helps ensure the assessment is grounded, inclusive, and accurate.

Valuing outcomes

We apply globally accepted SROI principles to assign financial values to significant social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Calculating the Social Value ROI ratio

Using a transparent and standardised method, we estimate the social value created for every unit of investment.

Reporting and recommendations

Our final report clearly communicates the findings, methodology, and key insights – ready for internal or external audiences.

Independent SROI Consultants & Consulting Solutions

Use more than 15 years of our global consulting experience in Social Issues, Community, CSR and Sustainability. We work one-on-one with business leaders, foundations, NGOs and Implementation Bodies to develop their Independent Social Return on Investment – SROI Assessment Reports.

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 countries

2K+ projects

across the value chain

15+ years

at the forefront of ESG and Sustainability Advisory Space

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:

Who else contributed to the result

Drop-off:

How outcomes reduce over time

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

We rely on stakeholder inputs, project data, and field validations to ensure fact-based impact measurement.

Independent and objective assessments

As a third-party agency, we deliver unbiased insights that add credibility to your social investment evaluations.

Customised and context-specific frameworks

Each SROI framework is tailored using global tools like Theory of Change and Logframe, aligned with your project needs.

Aligned with global and national standards

We apply international best practices including those from Social Value International, SDG indicators, and India’s CSR guidelines.

Outcome and impact-focused methodology

Our work goes beyond outputs to capture real, lasting outcomes that reflect true social returns on investment.

Social ROI and efficiency metrics

We calculate value per rupee invested using well-defined Social ROI calculation and cost-effectiveness indicators.

Participatory and inclusive approach

Beneficiaries, partners, and relevant stakeholders are actively involved throughout the SROI assessment process.

Clear and actionable reporting

Our SROI reports are concise, practical, and designed to support learning, strategy, and future planning.

Experienced, sector-diverse team

Our team brings cross-sectoral expertise across health, education, livelihood, and sustainability domains.

Tech-enabled delivery

We use digital tools and data visualisation to improve accuracy, transparency, and communication of SROI results. .

Find a solution that works for you

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) 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.

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.

Browse our Featured Blog

Read a few of our stories as we partner organisations as an ESG, Sustainability and People Advisory Consulting Firm.

Beyond ratios: A new approach to Social Return on Investment (SROI)

A new SROI approach focused on social value, real outcomes, and continuous improvement.