SROI Workshop in Dundalk

On January 23, 2025, members from Louth County’s Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) were invited by our Pilot team in Dundalk (Louth County Council) to participate in a Social Return on Investment (SROI) Workshop, organised at the Pilot site. The SROI methodology is a tool derived from the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) methodology to enable the comprehensive evaluation of VARCITIES’ interventions (its three Visionary Solutions in Dundalk) by accounting for their social, economic, and environmental impacts. Unlike traditional assessments, which prioritize economic metrics, SROI provides a framework for quantifying and prioritizing social outcomes.

This group of attendees were drawn from community, farming, public, representatives and rural enterprise organisations as well as state agencies. Considering the focus of the work of the LCDC is co-ordinate, plan and oversee local and community funding in a more joined-up approach,  it was important to gather the views of this committee, as the objectives of VARCITIES ties closely to the ongoing work of Healthy Louth and the Health & Wellbeing Sub-committee. It aligns with frameworks like the Place Standard Tool, which focuses on how places influence health and wellbeing, and the determinants of health, which shape the social and environmental conditions impacting our communities.

Those in attendance gained valuable insights into how investments in public spaces and projects like VARCITIES enhance health and wellbeing outcomes for Louth residents. This knowledge will directly benefit local collective efforts in promoting healthy environments across the county. Attendees stated that this will inform future planning and decision-making while strengthening collaboration between Healthy Louth and local stakeholders, which will help shape best practices and demonstrate the tangible value of projects such as VARCITIES to Louth community.