Model for Measuring the Impact of Social Enterprises, Slovenia
SOCIAL
The Social Impact Measurement Model (SIM) is a tool for measuring social impact, developed by the Institute for Economic Research as part of the “Development of an Applied Model for Measuring the Social Impact of Social Enterprises” project, which was funded by the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport and the Slovenian Research Agency.
Based on established social impact methodologies (e.g. theory of change and impact value change models), the model offers a set of IRIS+ (Impact Reporting and Investment Standards) impact indicators, which organisations can further complement with their own indicators. The objective of the model is to identify the social impacts that social enterprises create as a result of their activities, thereby enabling them to produce reports on their achievements. It also supports companies in improving their strategic management, transparency, and communication with stakeholders. It enables them to clearly define goals, identify target groups, select relevant indicators, and collect data on actual impacts.
The Social Impact Measurement Model helps policy makers design appropriate measures and incentives to support the expansion and development of social enterprises. Social enterprises that use the Social Impact Measurement Model for reporting provide substantial data to help policy makers conduct both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of their contributions to social welfare. Reporting on the social impact of social enterprises is expected to become mandatory in the future. Therefore, social enterprises are encouraged to use the current pilot model to offer feedback to developers.
The Institute for Economic Research has developed a five-step model based on the impact value chain methodology. The steps include:
1. Starting points and assumptions: This initial phase identifies the social challenges the organisation aims to address and clarifies its intended goals.
2. Preparation of the measurement plan: The organisation selects relevant indicators, defines measurement units, data sources, and sets the frequency of data collection.
3. Measurement: Information is gathered and recorded in line with the established measurement plan.
4. Displaying results and analysis: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the information collected are presented.
5. Designing reports: A report is prepared, compiling key findings, highlighting achievements, and identifying areas for improvement.
At the time this case study was prepared, reporting on the social impact of social enterprises was not mandatory. It is therefore impossible to assess the impact of the SIM, as it has not yet been enforced.
Institute for Economic Research. (2022). Navodila za uporabo Modela za merjenje družbenih učinkov socialnih podjetij. Retrieved from https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MKRR/DRR/socialno-podjetnistvo/Merjenje-druzbenih-ucinkov-socialnih-podjetij-/Navodila_Model_V5_final_20220929.pdf
Republic of Slovenia. (2022). Measuring the social impact of social enterprises. Retrieved from https://www.gov.si/novice/2022-10-24-merjenje-druzbenih-ucinkov-socialnih-podjetij/
Republic of Slovenia. (2024, April 18). Social entrepreneurship. Retrieved from https://www.gov.si/en/topics/social-entrepreneurship/
RSNOP. (2021, December 13). Measuring the social impact of social enterprises – get involved! Retrieved from https://lrf-pomurje.si/merjenje-druzbenih-ucinkov-socialnih-podjetij-sodelujte/
Slovenska Poslovna Toĉka. (2025, June 30). Measuring social impacts in social enterprises. Retrieved from https://spot-podravje.eu/2025/06/30/merjenje-druzbenih-ucinkov-v-socialnih-podjetjih/