What is SROI?

Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a framework that measures the broader social, environmental, and economic value created by an initiative, compared to the investment made. It helps quantify impact in monetary terms by asking:

“How much social value was created for every rupee invested?”

Over the past 30 years, Saath has worked deeply in the urban communities of Behrampura, Vasna, and Juhapura, impacting over 3.8 lakh people. A third-party SROI study conducted by 4th Wheel assessed this long-term impact using participatory methods and international standards.

About the Study

  • Evaluator: 4th Wheel (Independent third-party)
  • Sample Universe: 21,653 individuals
  • Sample Size: 377 respondents
  • Research Tools: Focus Group Discussions, Contingency Valuation, Value Game, Hypothetical Budgets, and Semi-Structured Interviews

What Was Measured?

  • Communities Studied: Behrampura, Vasna, Juhapura
  • People Impacted: 3,80,106
  • Sample Size: 377 people (from a universe of 21,653)
  • Investment Value: ₹12.87 crore
  • Total Present Value Created: ₹267.79 crore

How We Measured It

SROI Principles
  • Involving stakeholders
  • Understanding what changes
  • Valuing what matters
  • Including only what is material
  • Avoiding over-claiming
  • Being transparent
  • Verifying results
SROI Process
  • Define scope & stakeholders
  • Map outcomes
  • Value outcomes
  • Establish impact
  • Calculate SROI
  • Embed findings
Research Tools Used
  • Focus Group Discussions
  • Contingency Valuation
  • Value Games
  • Hypothetical Budgets
  • Semi-structured Interviews

What the Study Found

Area SROI (₹ Return per ₹1 Invested)
Behrampura ₹17.10
Vasna ₹33.29
Juhapura ₹4.24
Overall ₹20.80

Saath’s work in these communities led to significant improvements in education, livelihoods, health, infrastructure access, and dignity.

Impact Diaries

Manisha’s Journey

When Manisha first heard about the Child-Friendly Space (CFS) centre, she was hesitant. Trusting someone else with her young son’s care felt risky. She preferred keeping him close—even at the construction site where she worked. It was only when the site supervisor warned her about the dangers of having children on-site that she considered reaching out to the centre.

Originally from a small tribal village in Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, Manisha had completed her education till the 12th grade. Due to limited job opportunities in her hometown, she and her husband migrated to Ahmedabad in 2019 to work as daily-wage labourers at the Rajyash construction site. From the beginning, Manisha stood out—strong, outspoken, and a determined voice for her community. Whether it was demanding clean water, toilets, or better work conditions, she fearlessly engaged with supervisors and earned respect among her peers.

Impact Diaries
Manisha’s Journey

From a Protective Mother to a Community Leader

Rehnuma’s Rise

A Journey from Self-Doubt to Self-Belief

Ramjibhai’s Dignity Restored

A Toilet, A New Life

Bhikhabhai and Laxmiben

From Slum Shadows to City Pride

Chanda’s Comeback

From Illness and Homelessness to Homeownership

Manisha’s Leap

From Unseen Domestic Worker to Empowered Home Manager

Amit’s Turnaround

From Dropout to Digital Repair Entrepreneur

Sakhi Mandals

Women Leading the Change | From Silent Struggles to Financial Freedom

Awards and Recognitions

GuideStar Award, Platinum Transparency Seal, 2016
Credibility Alliance, 2016-2021
GuideStar Award Tranparency Award 2016, Platinum Seal
India NGO Award 2014-15 in the Medium Category
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Award