Social Return on Investment

A report by the new economics foundation (nef) demonstrates the evidence of the value in investing in community development work. The forward to the report notes "outcomes produced by community development can often be subtle, incremental and difficult to measure". This difficulty provided the motivation for the report Catalysts for Community Action and Investment.

"This report tracks the cost benefit of the four local authority community development teams, identifying, supporting and nurturing volunteers within their areas to take part in local groups and activities, improving the lives of people in the wider community. It includes the real value of volunteering on the balance sheet. It also shows that for every £1 a local authority invests, £15 of value is created.
"The report demonstrates the relationship between community development workers and community volunteers as co-producers of community well-being. Community development workers act as catalysts: they stimulate the investment of time and talent from the volunteering potential inherent in local communities."