Measuring the Social Value of ESF’s Funded Activities
We were commissioned by Electrical Safety First (ESF) to develop a social value framework that moves beyond conventional KPIs, helping them to better understand the impact of their Electrical Safety Fund by quantifying meaningful community benefits and aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals.
The mission.
Improving Community Safety Through Measurable Impact
The objective of this research was to establish a social value framework and evaluation methodology tailored to ESF’s funded initiatives. We aimed to improve ESF’s ability to achieve their mission of saving lives, reducing injuries, fire and damage from electricity by understanding and mapping changes and outcomes from their funded activities. This would provide ESF with the tools and resources needed to find the social value generated by their activities and evaluate their impact in the future.
The research.
Understanding the Social Value of the funded activities
We conducted an analysis of previous ESF funded activities from 2022-25, reviewing project summaries, applications and reports across different regions. Our research included a survey capturing experiences and changes from both beneficiaries of funded projects and those involved in delivering the initiatives; this survey received 199 responses. Once key outcomes were identified, we re-engaged with these populations to understand the value they place on these and gather relevant data for the social value map. This allowed us to capture both intended and unintended outcomes, understanding the lived experiences of those directly impacted by ESF initiatives.
We we did.
Developing a Social Value Framework
We developed a report for ESF detailing the methodology, key findings, and outcomes of their funded activities. This was provided alongside a social value framework aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a comprehensive user guide to support ESF and project partners. The framework enables ESF to consistently measure the social value of their funded activities, with tools and resources to keep the information, results and outcomes updated and consistent.
The impact.
Through this work, we helped ESF better understand the social value being created through their funded activities, and helped improve their approach to evaluation. ESF now has a practical framework and tools to consistently measure, evaluate and maximise their social value across all funded initiatives, which will support them in their strategic and transparent funding decisions and reporting.
