National CSR Network Hosts Successful Impact Conclave on Maximizing Social Return on Investment (SROI)

New Delhi, 13th December 2024 – The National CSR Network, an initiative of Strategic CSR Alliance, successfully hosted the Impact Conclave on Maximizing Social Return on Investment (SROI) in New Delhi. The event was attended by over 100 participants, including professionals, representatives from PSUs, corporates, industry experts, academicians, and non-profit organizations.

At the National CSR Network, we firmly believe that the power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic action can transform not just organizations but entire communities. This year’s theme encouraged us to critically examine how we could better measure, enhance, and harness our collective investments to achieve greater social impact.

Whether through partnerships, responsible business practices, or innovative CSR initiatives, maximizing SROI ensures that every effort translates into tangible, lasting benefits for society and the environment on a sustainable basis. The conclave provided a platform for participants to learn, share insights, foster new partnerships, and co-create solutions that will drive this mission forward.

The event aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of maximizing social returns, with sessions covering opportunities and challenges in impact assessment, the transformative role of technology, and best practices – insights from successful implementations.

Highlights of the Conclave:

• CSR Investments: Companies must focus on measuring the return on social impact to ensure meaningful societal contributions.
• Sustainability Opportunities: The SDGs, especially Goal 17, offer vast opportunities for strengthening sustainability efforts.
• Impact Assessment Challenges:
  • Multiple frameworks and a lack of standardized models hinder effective measurement.
  • Challenges in measuring the SROI ratio and interpreting social/environmental value.
  • Issues related to transparency, data quality, and stakeholder confidence.
• Technology in SROI:
  • AI, machine learning, and blockchain enhance impact reporting and ensure transparency.
  • Technology can bridge the digital divide and ensure inclusivity.
  • Capacity-building is crucial for grassroots organizations to leverage digital tools.
• Ethical Considerations:
  • Data privacy and balancing effectiveness with complexity in the use of technology for CSR.
• Leadership & Ethics:
  • Strong leadership and ethical practices lead to sustainable CSR projects.
  • The importance of revisiting projects to ensure long-term impact and effectiveness.
• Holistic Approach:
  • Social impact should be assessed in both quantitative and qualitative terms, focusing on long-term community transformation.
• Partnerships & Collaboration:
  • Collaboration with external partners amplifies impact and drives long-term sustainability.

Launch of the Study: “Maximizing SROI in India – A Pathway to Vision 2047”

The conclave also saw the release of a comprehensive study prepared by VeKommunicate, Policy, Advisory and Research firm, presenting actionable strategies to achieve Vision 2047 through impactful CSR practices. The study highlights scalable models, policy recommendations, and emerging trends in the field.

The event featured engaging discussions and expert panels, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of SROI while networking with professionals from various sectors.

Organizing Committee and Speakers

The conclave was organized by a committee chaired by Shri Ayush Gupta, Director HR, GAIL (India) Limited. The event featured prominent speakers, including T. S. Vishwanath, C.B. Mishra, Vijay Rai, Anuradha Singh, Jagadeesha PS, Chirag Bhandari, George Varughese, Suresh Reddy, Dilip Chenoy, Ravneet Pawha, Roshan, Jayant Tandon, Mohini Daljeet Singh, Rajesh Das, Prabhakar Das, Sarita Chand, and Brig. Atul Wahi.

The National CSR Network extends its sincere gratitude to all attendees, panelists, and partners for their valuable contributions. By fostering dialogue and innovation, the Impact Conclave 2024 marks a significant step toward achieving India’s vision of sustainable development. The following organisations sponsored the Conclave.

Website: https://nationalcsrnetwork.in