D7.5: Report on SROI Analysis in the Demo Cases
Work Package 7, led by University of Malta, targets the development of a KPI-based toolkit and roadmap for the implementation of NBS interventions.
Specifically, within WP7, T7.5 focused on applying and refining the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology across all seven VARCITIES pilot sites to assess the social value generated by the project’s Visionary Solutions (VSs). The task involved developing innovative tools to make SROI assessments more engaging, replicable, and accurate. D7.5 reports the complete SROI analyses.
Key messages
- VARCITIES shows that well-designed public spaces can deliver more than double their value in social returns for every euro invested
- A game-like SROI process and a first-of-its-kind financial proxy catalogue make assessing urban social value easier, more engaging, and replicable.
- By applying SROI to seven diverse European cities, VARCITIES provides a tested, adaptable framework for measuring and communicating the benefits of urban interventions.
Executive Summary
VARCITIES integrated the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology as a core tool for quantifying the social impact of its Visionary Solutions. SROI measures how many euros of social value are generated for every euro invested, considering both European Commission funding and local co-investments. Applying this framework to urban public space interventions (traditionally difficult to monetise) enabled VARCITIES to present clear, evidence-based valuations of the social benefits produced.
Two major innovations stand out in VARCITIES’ application of SROI. First, the project developed a game-like workshop methodology to simplify and energise the traditionally complex SROI process. This approach boosted participant engagement and improved the quality of inputs, especially when working with diverse stakeholders in urban settings. Second, VARCITIES created a financial proxy catalogue, a pioneering resource compiling monetary values for outcomes linked to public space improvements. This catalogue is a significant contribution to the field, offering a reference for future urban impact assessments.
The SROI process was piloted in Castelfranco Veneto and later rolled out to the remaining six sites, with methodologies adapted to local contexts while maintaining overall rigour. Over nearly 18 months of application, the process evolved from conventional questionnaires to a fully interactive tool, producing robust results. Across the pilots, the VSs demonstrated high social returns—in some cases more than doubling the value of the initial investment. These findings provide a compelling case for scaling similar interventions and show the tangible, monetised benefits of designing healthier, greener, and more inclusive public spaces.
This deliverable is not approved yet, as such the full deliverable is not available to the public.