sustainability Article The Return on Investment in Social Farming: A Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development in Rural Catalonia Antoni F. Tulla , Ana Vera * , Carles Guirado and Natàlia Valldeperas Department of Geography, Carrer de la Fortuna s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; antoni.tulla@uab.cat (A.F.T.); carlesguirado@gmail.com (C.G.); nataliavalldeperas@gmail.com (N.V.) * Correspondence: ana.vera@uab.cat  Received: 13 March 2020; Accepted: 18 May 2020; Published: 5 June 2020  Abstract: Although social farming (SF) has been a successful endeavor in Catalonia over the last 30 years, it has not been visible for part of society, which is largely unaware of its existence. Nevertheless, this study has demonstrated after studying five cases that the social return on investment (SROI) has been significant in rural areas. In this study, five in-depth interviews were carried out, and a general questionnaire was sent to 161 SF projects in Catalonia with a view to analyzing the participation of stakeholders and the returns they have achieved. The SROI method and the benefits to different stakeholders are concisely described. Our main foci are people at risk of social exclusion, their families, and the project promoters, but we also believe it is essential to analyze the administration of projects and the settings in which they take place. It is calculated that there is a social, economic, and environmental return on investment in terms of the benefits to the territory’s sustainable local development at an approximate proportion of three euros for every euro invested. Without a doubt, SF can help to support proximity agriculture, thus favoring its development and viability. Keywords: social farming; rural development; groups at risk of social exclusion; multifunctionality in agriculture; social return on investment; SROI 1. Introduction The aim of our research is to demonstrate that social farming (SF) is an activity that has managed to contribute a social, economic and environmental return to society that is greater than the investment made in carrying out the activity [1]. Generally speaking, in the cases analyzed in Catalonia, the return has been two and a half to three times greater than the original investment. In order to ascertain this, the social return on investment (SROI) method was used to analyze the contributions of the actors involved in each SF project [2]. To give a simple definition, SF [3] is an activity promoted by public or private institutions aiming to improve the chances of employability for groups at risk of social exclusion (RSE) by means of agricultural work and transformation of agricultural products, or in activities related to nature. There are five basic elements that should be kept in mind: (1) groups at RSE, who are the main beneficiaries of the projects; (2) the institutional promotors or staff of the projects; (3) the technical team carrying out the project; (4) the agricultural activity, which is also an aim of the project; and (5) the therapy and healthcare offered to people at RSE [4]. SF entities located in rural areas help to achieve sustainable development, including the maintenance and improvement of personal and social services [5]. Moreover, this rural activity favors progress in proximity agriculture and food sovereignty [6,7] because SF helps the use of local land and resources for production and looks for customers in the same region [8]. Other concepts Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632; doi:10.3390/su12114632 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 2 of 28 like “zero kilometer” or slow food are similar but more related to restaurants and cooking. There are other similar concepts like Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA), which promote a direct connections between the producers of food and those who consume it [9] or Vía Campesina which advocates for family farms based on sustainable agriculture under local community control with access to local markets and the right to food sovereignty [10]. This study has been carried out in the conceptual framework of sustainable local development (SLD) where there is cooperation among entities that have in common the production of goods and services with added value [8]. SF is one of these activities and is part of the social economy led by the third sector [11,12]. The SROI methodology was applied [2] in order to analyze five SF projects in Catalonia. However, this methodology has limitations [13] which can only be remedied by combining it with others like the Business Model Canvas [14] or participative analysis represented by in-depth interviews. In essence, the SROI methodology is useful for ascertaining the progress of an entity [15] but not for comparing entities. In our research, though, it was suitable for comparing entities within the same area of specialization. Moreover, in future research, our aim is to compare the results for each entity with those of a later year. There are three main phases of the methodology: first, some European concepts and experiences of SF were reviewed; second, a database of SF experiences in Catalonia was produced; and, third, in the core of the article, a description of the SROI methodology is given, the results are analyzed, and final conclusions are presented. SF is an activity which collaborates to reinforce multifunctionality in agriculture. New or old organic production is oriented to regional consumers who appreciate social and ecological improvements. This activity, together with other touristic and trade activities, based on value-added products in the area promotes Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) [16]. This experience is still not massive but points out a trend to promote SRD in Catalonia. We may introduce some research questions to support this trend. Will the SROI in rural areas of Catalonia be enough to encourage more entrepreneurs in SF? Will Catalan society appreciate the quality of proximity agriculture in SF as a social, economic and environmental value? Finally, does SF need collaboration between the private and public sectors to develop? 2. Conceptual Framework SF is an activity that favors SLD in a territory since it is based on products and services defined by added value and respect for the environment. However, it should be seen as part of the social economy in which mainly third sector entities engage. SF products are increasingly appreciated by consumers, both for being social and for their ecological orientation [17]. Rural development (RD) means integration and transversality. It brings together all the dimensions of the rural world (economic specialization, cultural heritage, social and human capital, environment, etc.) and is based on the population’s social and economic well-being, measured more by quality of life in the country than by GDP per capita. Rural areas are increasingly being turned into a “commodity” [18,19] and, in order to reduce this, it is necessary to work towards a modern, technologically advanced society with new activities [20]. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [21], RD enables integration and encompasses transversal thematic fields (natural, physical, human, technological, and social capital) and services, and also the control of productive capital. SLD should combine economic, social, and environmental policies in the concept of “sustainable development” as formulated in the Brundtland Report [22]. The reduction of the rural urban divide to approach a rural urban continuum could support the development for satisfying the present needs of the population by not endangering resources that might be necessary for future generations, for example by abandoning agricultural land [23]. This means favoring proximity agriculture [24] in order to farm useful agricultural land and encourage food sovereignty [25,26], which would support SRD in a territory, although this can sometimes lead to a clash of interests between farmers and consumers who are looking for low prices in the framework of globalization [27]. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 3 of 28 Besides multifunctionality [28], one of the characteristics of SRD is that it can be seen as an “eco-economy” because it aims to avoid damaging the environment and thus excludes elements like industrial contamination, chemical agriculture, and dividing the territory with excessive infrastructure which creates abandoned and unusable spaces [29]. It also aims to produce added value in rural activities in places with increasingly accessible high-quality landscapes [30]. Finally, value is given to human capital with endogenous development [31] combined with formal and informal social networks that benefit from information and communication technologies (ICT) and generate social capital in RD [32]. A way of recovering abandoned spaces is exemplified by innovative projects like the “Art-Food Hub” which connects local communities [33]. Since the 1960s, SRD has sought to provide solutions for at least three problems: (1) finding a viable economic base for rural areas; (2) achieving an adequate quality of life and good environmental conditions for the population; and (3) reorganizing local rural society in a globalized world without sacrificing its identity [34]. The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy has funded rural regions with three goals in mind: (1) compensating for territorial imbalance by providing better access to social and economic opportunities; (2) correcting socioeconomic inequalities, especially between genders and among young people; and (3) environmental protection and implementation of policies favoring sustainability. SLD entails prioritizing the use of local resources to promote the production of goods with added value by making the most of the comparative advantage of rural and mountainous areas [16]. The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is a sector of the economy that is halfway between the private and public sectors. Also known as the third sector, it includes cooperatives, associative work organizations, employee stock ownership companies, non-profit-making organizations, charitable entities, mutual societies, and associative micro-enterprises. This should not be confused with the collaborative economy, which seeks forms of working relationships in situations of precarious employment. The SSE could be defined as a form of economic action, organizing the production, distribution, circulation, and consumption of goods and services in an associative and cooperative manner [11]. Three common elements defining the transformative nature of the SSE stand out: (1) a democratic, participative management in contrast with a hierarchical model where a few people control, manage, and decide about resources, heritage, information, and the future of the majority; (2) it is geared to human needs, with fair management of sustainable use of resources; and (3) it is commitment to the community by contributing to improving the society through job creation, provision of services, links with the territory, support for social causes, funding for solidarity initiatives with impoverished countries, and working with transformative social movements [35]. SF is now well-consolidated in many European countries where agricultural activities are combined with healthcare therapy or inclusive (rehabilitation) practices that enable innovative responses and work opportunities to groups at RSE [36,37]. However, SF takes on a range of forms depending on the conceptual framework and traditions of each country; so, for example, it might appear as Green Care (GC) or Care Farming [3,38,39]. The concept of GC covers a wide range of activities that have in common their use of natural elements to promote and sustain well-being and physical, mental, and social education [4,40,41]. When the predominant form is agricultural work, or the use of farmland combined with promoting physical and mental health among the participants, it is called Green Care in Agriculture (GCA). Promoting mental health, it includes therapeutic and rehabilitation services [42]. The environmental quality of the landscape also contributes to the success of this focus [43]. Care farming (CF) began in the Netherlands and then spread in the United Kingdom [44]. It is defined as the use of conventional farms and agricultural landscapes as key elements for improving the mental and physical health of people at RSE. The aim is to achieve personal development and provide rehabilitation opportunities to vulnerable individuals, including those with physical disabilities, mental disorders, addictions, or learning difficulties, among other situations associated with RSE [42,43]. One characteristic of CF is that the farms themselves provide the social and health services to which users Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 4 of 28 have access, either on a personal basis or through benefit societies or public subsidies. Accordingly, the farms need to have professionals, or farmers must be trained in healthcare and social work skills [3]. SF includes activities and services linked with therapy, inclusion, rehabilitation, improving health, rehabilitation, education and training, always engaging in agricultural activities or transformation [3]. However, the main feature of SF is that people at RSE have a contract and receive payment for their work. Furthermore, the projects include personal objectives like improved conditions for groups at RSE, their empowerment, and the recovery of the dignity, or the employment of professionals working on the technical and human levels. However, this does not exclude territorial goals like SLD, improvement in the environment, and promotion of agriculture of proximity, especially in peri-urban zones. For all the similarities between these approaches, some differences are also visible. CF and GC prioritize healthcare and therapy, while GCA and SF mainly occur in farms or projects engaged in agriculture or stockbreeding. There is also a difference between users paying for services received (CF, GC and GCA) and users receiving remuneration for the work they do, which even includes participating in the organization and management of the SF project. These concepts refer to the same phenomenon, but due to territorial contexts show different adaptations to the terminology [1,42,44,45]. SF, the type that covers the greatest number of situations, can be defined as a series of experiences using agricultural or local natural resources to improve health, education, social employment, and the empowerment of groups at RSE [36]. Another important aspect of SF is improving quality of life for members of the project and, at the same time, helping to implement new strategies of local development, creating new alliances between agriculture and social-health services and, in general, contributing to the added value of production and its ecological dimension [46]. 3. Study Area The agricultural sector in Catalonia represents 1.5% of the working population, which is calculated as being 42.5% of the total population [47]. Data from the Agrarian Census show that this sector is clearly in decline in several aspects. First, the employed population dropped by approximately 17% between 1999 and 2017 [48]. Second, the useful agricultural surface (UAS), including pasture and cultivated areas, declined from 1,869,203 hectares in 1997 to 1,125,268 in 2013. Finally, the number of farm and livestock holdings fell from 68,944 in 1997 to 59,097 in 2013 [49]. Although the data show this negative trend, initiatives on the local scale to promote rural development, social innovation, and production of high-quality agro-ecological products with added value have been initiated within this sector. The census of SF farming entities in Catalonia shows that the total number in 2017 was 206 (Figure 1), divided into two categories in which 161 are engaged in SF, while the other 45 are mainly devoted to gardening [46]. The first SF entities were located in rural areas between 1975 and 1992. In a second period (1992–2008), there was a greater concentration of these endeavors in rural settings because the government allocated part of the public budget for social purposes in order to incentivize programs that would create initiatives in support of the most vulnerable groups. Finally, a third period (2008–2017), coinciding with the onset of the financial crisis, showed a greater presence of SF projects in rural areas, since they were seen as a local development strategy and also as a way of coping with the economic crisis by means of innovative projects with a clear social character [46]. In this study, five entities created in the third period (Figure 1) and located in rural settings have been analyzed. We do not claim that they are statistically representative of the 161 SF entities in Catalonia. However, we believe that, given the type of production and services they offer, it can be said that the SROI results give an approximate account of the reality of SF in Catalonia. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 5 of 28 Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 30 Figure 1.1. Social Figure Social Farming Farming entities entities in in Catalonia Catalonia and and the the study study cases. cases. (The figure has been been changed). changed). Source:Authors. Source: Authors. (a) (a) Aprodisca Aprodisca Ambientals Ambientals ii Ecològica Ecològica (2015), (2015), is is an an Employment Employment Integration Integration Company Company (EIC)(EIC) for for people peopleatatRSERSElocated in Constantí located (Camp in Constantí de Tarragona). (Camp Its mainIts de Tarragona). promoter is the Associació main promoter Aprodisca is the Associació de Montblanc Aprodisca de (Conca Montblancde Barberà), (Conca de which was created Barberà), which wasin 1986 by families created in 1986 of bychildren families with disabilities of children with in order to provide disabilities in order employment for them and to provide employment for improve them andtheir social improve integration their through an social integration orchard through an and a product orchard and aprocessing and packaging product processing workshop.workshop. and packaging The Generalitat of Catalonia The Generalitat granted them of Catalonia use granted for them25 use years forof25the CanofMas years Fàbregas the Can estate, a modernist Mas Fàbregas buildingbuilding estate, a modernist on five hectares of land, of on five hectares soland, that they could so that theyemploy groups at could employ RSE for groups maximum at RSE two-year for maximum periods.periods. two-year AmongAmong the seven thepeople on the seven people property in 2015 were on the property former in 2015 weredrug addicts former with drug minimum addicts withguaranteed minimum income, guaranteed long-term income, unemployed long-term people, disabled unemployed people, people, and immigrants. disabled people, and Aprodisca immigrants.works with the works Aprodisca Social Services with theNetwork of the Social Services municipalities Network of theofmunicipalities the Selva del ofCamp and Constantí. the Selva del Camp and TheConstantí. project is geared The projectto organic horticultural is geared to organic production horticultural and processed and production agri-foods that agri-foods processed are sold in that the tourist are soldtowns in the of tourist the coast and also towns of thesupplied coast andto the alsoparent entity supplied to (Associació the parent Aprodisca de Montblanc) entity (Associació Aprodiscain exchange for financial de Montblanc) support for in exchange to maintain financial the project. support to maintain the project. (b) Can Calopa de Dalt is a local revitalization project with a focus on endogenous resources and environmental management in a space that is under considerable pressure from urban development. It was founded in 2010 as the result of an agreement between the Barcelona City Council and L’Olivera Cooperativa. Since then, L’Olivera has been working and managing a municipal estate with Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 6 of 28 (b) Can Calopa de Dalt is a local revitalization project with a focus on endogenous resources and environmental management in a space that is under considerable pressure from urban development. It was founded in 2010 as the result of an agreement between the Barcelona City Council and L’Olivera Cooperativa. Since then, L’Olivera has been working and managing a municipal estate with three hectares of vineyards and a seventeenth-century building located in the Collserola Natural Park. The farmhouse of Can Calopa de Dalt reproduces the social project run by L’Olivera in Vallbona de les Monges, where it manages a home-residence and a Special Work Center (SWC), the Centre Especial de Treball (CET). The focus of Can Calopa is the social and employment integration of its beneficiaries. These are basically young people at RSE with some degree of intellectual disability and/or mental disorder. The SWC accommodates 11 people who permanently live and work on the farm. They take care of the vineyard and clear the surrounding forests in Collserola. They have expanded the project’s activity using the farmhouse building to organize conferences and as a tasting center and agro-shop. The project is financed by sales of the products and a public subsidy for environmental management and services offered to groups at RSE. (c) Casa Dalmases is an entity created in 2012 with the twofold goal of incorporating people with special difficulties into the labor market in the rural area of La Segarra and, at the same time, giving new value to local heritage by turning a seventeenth-century stately home into a workshop producing artisanal beer (2014) and chocolate (2016). It is a private foundation with a nine-member board of trustees who make a monthly contribution. The project is funded by the Social Work Foundation of La Caixa, the Provincial Government of Lleida, the Leader Gustum Consortium (which promotes a network of craft beers), and the Social Entrepreneurship Program of the Generalitat of Catalonia, in addition to crowdfunding through Verkami. There are also indirect contributions, such as material received from L’Olivera Cooperative (1500 bottles of 75 cl) and 30,000 crown caps donated by a company. The Casa Dalmases project consists of the store “L’Espígol” (2012) which works with the Alba Association in Bellpuig and the Occupational Center L’Espígol de Cervera, which manages it. They sell SF products and others of social value and employ people at RSE (young people with intellectual or mental disabilities, and victims of structural unemployment). Also participating is the rural group EMAUS, which advertises the products produced by the project by taking them to fairs and markets. (d) Portal Berguedà S.L. (2011) is an EIC promoted by the Portal Foundation in support of young people with dual pathology and their families. Located in the municipality of Cercs (Berguedà), it specializes in dairy products, which are sold under the Delicias del Berguedà brand. It aims to assist young people through training in the workshop so that they become empowered and autonomous and can acquire work habits and the necessary skills for employment in companies. Value-added dairy products are produced, these being aimed at market segments seeking quality and proximity agriculture. The raw material of cow’s milk is obtained from organic farms with market prices in the upper range. Funding and advice are given through the Ship2B retail program have allowed the entity to expand its activity. Commercialization is carried out by the cooperative Vogadors, which brings together SF entities selling their products in towns of the Berga-Manresa area. (e) Riuverd Catalan Cooperative Society Ltd. (SCCL; 2014) arose from the Shared Schooling Unit of the Solsonès region. This organization is managed by the Afrau Association for Educational, Cultural, Social, Occupational and Leisure Services. When the promoters of the Riuverd project observed that many young people coming from unstable, disadvantaged family backgrounds lacked certain personal resources at the end of compulsory schooling, they founded a non-profit and socially oriented cooperative with the aim of the integration and social and job training of people at RSE, with a particular focus on empowering young people so that they can find employment in the working world. A two-year training program is established for each person, who will then be engaged in the economic activities of the entity. The project has four activities, namely cultivation, distribution, and the sale of organic horticultural products; the production of jams and other preserves; agricultural and gastronomic training; and the Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 7 of 28 cultivation of aromatic herbs. It consists of a farmhouse, Cal Robert, with facilities and two hectares of irrigated land, an agricultural shop and several educational spaces belonging to the Solsona Council. It is basically financed by its activities, from public grants for employing people at RSE, and it is part of the Social Entrepreneurship program of the Generalitat of Catalonia, which has provided funding for the project. Moreover, Riuverd has contributed towards founding the organization “Agro treballa al Solsonès”, which promotes employment in agriculture and SF. 4. Methodology The aim of the research was to evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impact of five SF entities in rural areas of Catalonia in order to identify the return to society of this activity. To this end, we used the SROI methodology which was proposed in 1997 by the third sector organization Roberts Enterprise Development Fund, a group that specializes in promoting social and employment integration of people at RSE in California, USA. The main aim was to measure the extra-financial impact of social enterprises and entities; or, in other words, to find a way of calculating the value of non-profitmaking organizations for the population at RSE. Social and environmental elements were added to economic costs and benefits in order to demonstrate the overall return to society and reduction of inequality and environmental degradation [2]. Greater efforts are being made to demonstrate that socially oriented activities carried out by public or private non-profitmaking institutions are socially effective. This has strengthened the instruments for measuring and evaluating the results obtained. Measuring the SROI appears as one of the methods that have obtained the best results in this regard [5]. This has been used in many domains but is especially important in matters of health and therapy [50]. One interesting example is its application to a public special education center for disabled youths in Spain [51]. The South Korean researchers Dong-Joo Kim and Yong-Seung Ji [52] consider that applying SROI makes it possible to measure the added social value produced by third sector enterprises. In a study of fifty social enterprises they demonstrate that job creation was the most significant goal achieved, which is what our study has also shown. Application of the SROI method has been extended to many fields which have in common the social nature of the activities, even in entities that are apparently as far removed from SF or social health as sports teams [53]. Based on the initial idea, work has been done to develop different SROI foci in keeping with the type of activity being analyzed and the control techniques of the process. At this point we would give as an alternative example to the more widespread SROI approach [2] a project in the Netherlands [54] which gives more emphasis to the “Theory of Change” and the “Social Evaluator web-based tool” to produce an SROI response. The activity it aims to analyze is the development cooperation sector, although it has also been used in Green Care evaluation. In our research, a review of the literature was presented in order to define the concept of SF. Next, SF in Catalonia was studied using a 2017 census of 161 entities devoted to SF. In this article, we focus on SROI analysis in the five selected entities. SROI quantifies the most relevant indicators for each organization and seeks elements that lie outside economic values in order to explain the nature of change with reference to social, environmental, and economic outcomes. Hence, it was necessary to use monetary terms that enable calculation of the cost-benefit ratio. This methodology can adopt different forms. It can be used to ascertain the nature of the return for the entity as a whole, or for only part of it, or for a specific process. The study can be carried out by the entity itself, or an external research team can perform the calculations and conversions. In the present study, the five entities were analyzed by an external team of researchers. There are two ways of using SROI methodology, namely retrospectively or prospectively. In the former case, real outcomes are evaluated when they have already happened, and, in the latter instance, predictions are made of how much social value will be created if the activities achieve the expected outcomes. This latter form of SROI is useful for planning future activities and makes it possible, first, to maximize the impact, and, second, to identify which parts must be evaluated after the entity becomes Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 8 of 28 operative [2]. In the present study, analysis of the five SF entities was carried out retrospectively for the 2015 exercise. None of them had previously been subjected to an SROI evaluation and the collection of data for identifying social value has been defined for the first time in every case. The results obtained not only provide the entities themselves with value, but are also useful for planning future activities Sustainability 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 30 and improving the development and social impact of each entity. SROI is based on seven principles adapted from from social social accounting accounting and and cost-benefit cost-benefit analysis analysis [55]. [55]. These principles furnish the basic elements for decision making, increasing and maximizing social value based on equality, equality, improving improving the well-being well-being of groups groups at RSE, RSE, and and boosting boosting environmental environmental sustainability. The The principles principles are [2]: (a) (a) involving involving stakeholders; stakeholders; (b)(b) understanding understanding what is being changed; (c) assessing only the important elements in the process of change; (d) including what is essential in the change; (e) claiming the value that each entity is responsible for creating; (f) being transparent; and (g) checking results.results. The SROISROImethodology methodology combines combines qualitative qualitative elements elements like personal like personal opinions andopinions and a a perception- perception-based based approach and approach and quantitative quantitative elements like elements like financial the entity’s the entity’s financial database database or the study or of the study of the business model. Calculation in the SROI methodology entails six stages business model. Calculation in the SROI methodology entails six stages (Figure 2), the first three (Figure 2), the first of three whichofpertain which pertain to data to data collection, collection, the fourth the fourth and to and fifth fifth to analysis, analysis, and and the the six six to dissemination to dissemination of of results. results. Figure2.2.Social Figure Socialreturn returnonon investment investment (SROI) (SROI) stages. stages. Source: Source: authors’ authors’ own, own, based based on Nicholls on Nicholls et al.,et2012. al., 2012. The first stage consists of establishing the scope of the analysis and identifying the key stakeholders The SF for each first stageThis entity. consists phaseofis establishing essential because the scope of point it is the the analysis at whichand the identifying the key most representative stakeholders for for each eachcase SF entity. This phase are selected in order is to essential explainbecause both theitinvestment is the point at which made and the theresults. most representative At the same time, stakeholders the Business for each Model case are selected Canvas [14] was in order applied to explain to define both the the investment business modelmadeand and the results. At the same time, the Business Model Canvas [14] was applied highlight the chain of value for each initiative. Interviews with the technical staff of each entity were to define the business model and carried out highlight the chain in two different of value periods for each of 2015 in orderinitiative. to obtainInterviews the data.with the technical staff of each entityThewere carried second outconsisted stage in two different periods in mapping theofoutcomes. 2015 in order Once to the obtain valuetheofdata. the stakeholders was The the defined, second stage consisted economic, social, and inenvironmental mapping the outcomes. outcomes Once were the value ofSince identified. the stakeholders was these are entities defined, where thethe economic, users are peoplesocial, and it at RSE, environmental was difficult to outcomes were identified. identify some outcomes with Sinceprecision. these are entities where the users From are people the third to the at RSE, fifth it wasitdifficult stages, to identify was necessary somethe to have outcomes with precision. opportunity to follow all the From the calculations third made. to theeach Behind fifthfigure stages, it was in the value necessary column ittowas have the opportunity possible to follow allto thefollow changes all and the calculations made. manipulations made. Behind This each means figure in the valuehow understanding column it wasofpossible the value to follow an investment all the or the changes value of an and manipulations impact is obtained. It made. This means was essential understanding to distinguish betweenhowinvestments the value ofatanthe investment beginningor ofthe the value of process, anmeasure to impact isthe obtained. changes It was essential during the process,to distinguish and to measure between investments the impact in eachatstakeholder the beginning of end at the the process, of to measure the process. To dothe changes so it during the was important process, to define theand to measure expected changesthe in impact in eachstakeholders the selected stakeholder at the and to end of the identify process.rates exchange To do andsochange it was indicators, important becauseto definethe theformer expected changes involved in the the choosing selected most stakeholdersexpected remarkable and to changes identify andexchange the laterrates and change involved findingindicators, because the indicator. the most representative former involved At this choosing point it was the most remarkable important to be able toexpected follow all changes the conceptualand theand later involvedoperations, mathematical finding the like most with representative the selected financialindicator. At this point it was important to be able to follow all the conceptual and proxy. mathematical operations, like with the selected financial proxy. The third stage was detailing the outcomes and their availability. Once they were presented, indicators were established to explain their impact, and the units of change obtained were quantified. For each one of these a financial proxy was made, thus making it possible to quantify the monetary value of the outcome. Since the users are people at RSE it was difficult in some cases to identify the monetary value of the outcome. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 9 of 28 The third stage was detailing the outcomes and their availability. Once they were presented, indicators were established to explain their impact, and the units of change obtained were quantified. For each one of these a financial proxy was made, thus making it possible to quantify the monetary value of the outcome. Since the users are people at RSE it was difficult in some cases to identify the monetary value of the outcome. The fourth stage was to establish the impact. The impact of the investment was quantified, subtracting attributions—analyzed by means of using different corrective factors—that were not produced by the entities. The fifth stage was calculating the SROI. Once the map of outcomes was produced, the two main variables quantifying investment and income were presented: the drop-off variable and the social discount rate. Finally, in the sixth stage, we described and discussed the results in a focus group with the SF entities in order to contrast and verify them. The findings were presented to the entities and the different interest groups. Although the results obtained provided clear information about each of the entities, it is important to recognize one of the main weaknesses of approach, namely, that even if one wished to tend towards standardization the results cannot be compared mechanically among the different SF entities because the stakeholders, outcomes, and specificities are different for each one. As a result, the grouping of data and the comparisons made in this study will always be approximate. 5. Results and Discussion The SROI methodology was applied to five SF experiences in rural areas as described in Section 3 of this paper. 5.1. Project Analysis and Stakeholder Identification The analysis of the SROI in each project aimed to measure the impact of the activity on the main stakeholders by comparing it with the initial investment [56]. The structure of the analyzed SF entities was very similar because they coincided with respect to most of the stakeholders. There were beneficiary workers, members of the technical team, volunteers, and trainees, together with one or more activities that generate customers and suppliers. Usually, foundations, parent associations, or social entities promoted the project (La Caixa in Casa Dalmases (Tables 1 and 5); Catalunya-La Pedrera in Delícies del Berguedà (Tables 1 and 6)), or there were agreements with the local administration (Barcelona City Council in Can Calopa (Tables 1 and 4)), all of which help with development. There were always positive synergies in the territory and community where the project is located, with little investment and a significant total impact, promoting SLD [57]. The public administration invests in grants to employ beneficiaries and technicians and obtains a positive return in tax revenue and savings on social subsidies. The descriptions and justifications of Table 1 correspond to data considered for any of the five cases analyzed. After establishing the main stakeholders, we shall now present the changes that can be expected in their regard (Table 2). These changes can be seen as having had a direct effect on each interest group, or an indirect effect, depending on the relationship between the change and the stakeholder. The changes are classified into three categories: economic, social, and environmental. However, in order to be able to compare them, we shall give them a monetary value, which will make the comparison easier when it concerns economic values such as a salary or the payment of rent. Sometimes, standard values like average salary or indicators shall be used, for example, savings in psychiatric care of a beneficiary if socio-health care is offered in the SF entity. On other occasions, financial proxies will be used, for example the value of fire prevention when abandoned agricultural or forest land is used. This environmental improvement is then calculated in accordance with the value of the cost of putting out a fire and subsequent recovery. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 10 of 28 Table 1. Description and justification of the stakeholders analyzed. Stakeholder Description Justification Cases Beneficiaries or users People at RSE in Employment and The five entities. various groups. socio-health care are the main objectives of SF. Technical team Professionals with They are responsible for The five entities. transversal skills in promoting and managing different fields. the project. Volunteers and/or They work without pay and An important element in SF Aprodisca; Can student interns receive job satisfaction as entities for creating social Calopa; Casa well as acquiring skills and capital and improving Dalmases; knowledge in managing SF. social relations. Delícies Berguedà. Foundations/associations A promoting parent entity Provides services, funding, The five entities. that helps to develop an and advice at the beginning SF project. of and during the process. Family members From the milieu closest to The activity of the entity The five entities. the beneficiaries, they gives emotional support and experience positive changes eases the burden of family such as emotional and attention to the people at material well-being. RSE in their care. Customers People or entities that value They contribute most of the The five entities the project for the quality of income for products and the product and services of services they obtain in the the SF entity. SF entity. Suppliers These are the companies that These are basic suppliers, The five entities. contribute the raw materials such as those that provide for the products of the organic products. This is a SF entity. key expense for the entity. Collaborating Entities offering services and They assist in the Can Calopa; Casa institutions indirect contributions of development of the entity, Dalmases; materials, as well as advice. especially during the first Delícies del years of the project. Berguedà. Local and provincial They offer grants and Their services work with the The five entities. administration subsidies to maintain jobs entity and contribute and facilitate the investments, as well as development of the entity. recording changes in relation to people at RSE. Community and local The activity of the SF entity This favors cooperation The five entities. territory may have an effect upon or between activities in the generate change in the territory, as well as territorial environment. ecological products of added value. State and provincial They receive income from Significant changes and The five entities. administration taxes and social security savings are registered payments as well as saving regarding the activity of the on aid and subsidies. entity and the employment function of the staff at RSE. Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 11 of 28 Table 2. Expected changes among stakeholders involved in social farming (SF) for the five entities. Stakeholder Expected Changes Beneficiaries or Integration into the job market: access to a job. users New job skills: increased responsibility (e.g., punctuality). New professional and personal skills (e.g., specialization). Material well-being: salary, social security, economic autonomy. Emotional well-being: self-esteem, trust, satisfaction, relationship with nature. Physical well-being: improved health. Social integration. Improvement of interpersonal relationships and social skills. Personal autonomy and independent life. Empowerment. Technical team Access to a job. Salary and social security. Learning, experience, and new professional skills. Ability to adapt easily to a range of functions. Emotional well-being. Participating in a social project, motivation, satisfaction. Physical well-being: work in a pleasant environment in contact with nature. Personal development and improved social relationships. Volunteers and/or Emotional satisfaction and motivation to participate in a social project. student interns Learning to generate projects (organizational skills). Acquisition of technical knowledge: agriculture and ecological processes. Physical well-being: work in a pleasant environment in contact with nature. New contacts and expansion of the personal social network. Foundations/ Meeting the core objectives of the foundation and/or association. associations Social diffusion of access to employment and social improvement for beneficiaries. Capital contribution and financing the development of the SF project. Knowledge and contacts with society. Recruitment of new partners. Providing training and platforms for collaboration among SF entities. Saving costs of guardianship and human resources management (Guardianship Foundation). Management and maintenance of farms and heritage (landscape, land, and buildings). Family members Availability of more time if paid work is done. Economic security: contribution of a salary to the family nucleus (only sometimes). Emotional well-being: psychological rest, stress reduction, tranquility. Improvement of inter-family relationships: conflict reduction. Peace of mind and hope of resolving situations of conflict. Customers Revenue from sales and services (agricultural and processed products, training). Emotional well-being of the client: satisfaction of working with a social project. Social economy: acquiring quality social products locally. Suppliers Providing raw materials and services for the development of the activity Giving value to proximity agriculture. Obtaining better prices and working relations because of dealing with wholesalers. Economic and treatment facilities thanks to relationship with a social project. Collaborating Therapeutic support and monitoring of people at RSE in the SF project. institutions Joint marketing strategies (2147 Mans, Vogadors, etc.). Contribution of low-cost materials and advice, and funding. Making contacts that promote social networks and territorial activities. Local and provincial Agreement ceding public properties for use by projects: management and maintenance. administration Economic contributions to SF projects through offering services. Savings in social benefits expenses, for example with subsidized housing. Savings in social and health services expenses (e.g., family assistance and healthcare). Savings in training and education of workers. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 12 of 28 Table 2. Cont. Stakeholder Expected Changes Community and Presence of a local development and entrepreneurship project. Social cohesion. local territory Networking for collaboration among producers and contacting consumers. Giving value to local products and promoting quality added value. Recovery of abandoned agricultural land and production, for example, of wine. Landscape and historical heritage conservation. Actions to reduce fire risk and increase biodiversity. State and provincial Increased revenue from tax collection (personal income tax, VAT, etc.) administration Increased revenue from social security contributions. Grants for paying salaries of Special Work Centre (SWC) and Employment Integration Company (EIC) workers. Reduction of aid and expenses in social benefits. Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. 5.2. Impact Map of Each Case: Identification of the Investment and Results The investments made by each stakeholder participating in the project must be calculated. Actual contributions were taken into account or valued according to the indicators that allowed us to estimate the investment made. It is important to bear in mind that the investment is made at the beginning of the project. Hence, we do not count the salaries of users or the technical team, which will constitute an impact or change, but the cost of their training or adaptation to the project is considered (see Table 9). The contributions of the parent entity in human or material resources and of foundations and associations are important. Clients contribute income while suppliers create expenses. We shall consider this separately in each case analyzed (Tables 3–7). The percentage of positive investment is calculated for each stakeholder, as is the amount paid out to suppliers and the negative percentage this represents in the total amount invested. Table 3. Investments made by selected stakeholders in Aprodisca Ambientals i Ecològics. Stakeholders Description Value in € Results (Outputs) Workers at RSE Time, effort, and 0.00 7 workers in a situation of commitment. social exclusion. Professionals Time, involvement and 0.00 3 permanent workers and 3 (technical team) commitment. substitute workers for holidays and specific reinforcement needs. Aprodisca Financing. 24,688.39 (23.38%) Working to advance the activity of Association (parent) the Employment Integration Company (EIC). Customers Monetary contribution. 48,613.94 (46.03%) They prefer quality and proximity agriculture with social value. Suppliers Monetary expenditure. −42,454.62 (−40.20%) Revenue for suppliers. Family members of Effort, satisfaction, time 0.00 7 families have members who are people at RSE and commitment. EIC workers. Public administration Money. 29,927.33 (28.34%) Subsidies and contributions of a public nature for EIC activity. Community and Generating 0.00 Links with the administration and local territory compatibilities with entities. Environmental surrounding entities. improvement of abandoned land. Volunteering at the Time and professional 2376.00 (2.25%) 2 people have participated in the Horticultural School support. entity as intern staff (550 h). TOTAL INPUTS 63,151.04 = + 105,605.66 − 42,454.62 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 13 of 28 Table 4. Investments made by selected stakeholders in Can Calopa de Dalt. Stakeholders Description Value in € Results (Outputs) Workers at RSE in Time and effort. 39,204.00 (6.69%) 11 workers in the SWC and home-residence home-residence users. Technical team: SWC Time, effort, involvement, 0.00 12 jobs (6.5 in the SWC and 5.5 in professionals and and commitment. the home-residence). home-residence Volunteers Time, commitment and 12,692.16 (2.17%) 4 volunteers (2938 h per year). personal effort. Barcelona City Council Monetary contribution and 217,334.17 Home-residence management collaboration. (37.11%) concession (people with intellectual disabilities). Sabadell Agrarian Park Collaboration. 0.00 Maintenance of public farm and production of 3100 bottles per year. Customers of services Monetary income. 60,751.50 Receive services offered by the SWC. (10.37%) Suppliers Contribution of remunerated −153,054.34 Therapy and other health services. services and raw material. (−26.13%) Packaging, transport, etc. Public administration, Subsidies for SWC and 255,718.10 Maintenance of protected jobs provincial and state home-residence workers. (43.66%) (SWC) and home-residence Tax revenue. positions. Paid taxes and social security. Families and tutors Effort, satisfaction, time, and 0.00 11 families and/or guardians with commitment. members in the home-residence and in the SWC. Guardian foundations: Socio-health collaboration. 0.00 8 of the 11 home-residence users are “Som Fundació” and 3 more supervised by a foundation. Community and Collserola Natural Park; 0.00 Managing crops and spaces at fire local territory surroundings. risk. Environmental improvement in abandoned land. TOTAL INPUTS 432,645.59 = + 585,700.33 − 153,054.24 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. Table 5. Investments made by selected stakeholders in Casa Dalmases. Stakeholders Description Value in € Results (Outputs) Workers (disabled) at RSE Time, effort and 1797.12 (5.13%) 1 person working in an internship. commitment. Young people with special Time, effort, involvement 5063.04 (14.45%) 8 users (5 with intellectual difficulties or in structural and commitment. disabilities—Association Alba- unemployment L’Espígol store, and 3 at RSE of Emaús Rural). Permanent volunteers in the Time, effort, involvement, 1195.92 (3.41%) 2 volunteers in the technical team. technical team and commitment. Temporary volunteers in the Time, effort, involvement, 3732.48 (10.65%) 4 volunteers working to develop the technical team and commitment. project (foundation president, social networks, administration, and technical). Casa Dalmases technical Time, effort, and 0.00 2 professionals. team commitment. Members of the board of Monetary contribution. 4999.00 (14.27%) Collaboration in developing the trustees of Casa Dalmases entity’s activity. Family members of workers Time, effort, involvement, 0.00 Impact on family when one of its at RSE and commitment. members is working. 12,077.29 Customers Monetary income. Proximity agriculture and (34.47%) social value. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 14 of 28 Table 5. Cont. Stakeholders Description Value in € Results (Outputs) −14,382.69 Suppliers Monetary outlay. Payment for raw materials and (−41.05%) services received by the foundation. Collaborators (Alba Assistance and advice. 1260.00 (3.60%) Assistance in the development of Association, L’Olivera, and the entity’s activity. Donation of so on) material for production. “Obra Social La Caixa” Monetary contribution. 5000.00 (14.27%) Grant for work to improve Foundation the building. Public administration Tax revenue and subsidy 0.00 Maintenance of savings. protected workplaces. Community and territory Generates compatibilities 0.00 Creates collaborative ties with the with surrounding entities. administration and other activities. Environmental improvement in abandoned land. TOTAL INPUTS 20,652.16 = + 35,034.85 − 14,382.69 Source: Authors’ own, using in-depth interviews. Table 6. Investments made by selected stakeholders in Delícies del Berguedà. Stakeholders Description Value in € Results (Outputs) Workers of the EIC Time, effort, and 0.00 3 positions for young people with commitment. dual pathology. Professionals Time, effort, involvement, 0.00 3 positions for people with professional, (technical team) and commitment. educational, and group organization knowledge. Volunteers and Time, effort, involvement, 4942.08 (2.35%) 1 intern student (20 h/week) and a intern students and commitment. volunteer worker (2 h/week). Ship2b Foundation Monetary contribution. 16,000.00 (7.61%) 11 investment partners contribute €80,000 (in 5 years), thus acquiring shares. Families Effort, satisfaction, time, and 259.20 (0.12%) 3 families have young people with dual commitment. pathology working in the company. Customers Monetary income. 162,789.00 They receive proximity agriculture with (77.43%) social value. Suppliers Monetary outlay. −97,691.68 Payment for raw materials and services (−46.47%) received by the foundation. Portal Foundation Monetary contribution. 13,200.00 (6.28%) Working in development of the employment integration company (EIC). Amalgama Association Time, effort, and 207.36 (0.10%) 1 psychologist makes periodic visits to commitment. young people at RSE. Catalunya-La Pedrera Monetary contribution and 3000.00 (1.43%) Grant to create a joint marketing Foundation advice. platform with the coop. Vogadors and (Agrosocial network) other SF initiatives. Public administration Tax revenue and subsidy 9844.05 (4.68%) Subsidies and public contributions for savings. the development of EIC activity maintaining jobs. Community and territory Generating compatibilities 0.00 Creating collaborative ties with the with surrounding entities. administration and other activities. Environmental improvement of abandoned land. TOTAL INPUTS 112,550.01 = + 210,241.69 − 97,691.68 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 15 of 28 Table 7. Investments made by selected stakeholders in Riuverd. Stakeholders Description Value in € Results (Outputs) Workers at RSE in Time, effort, and 0.00 6 young people at RSE. the EIC commitment. Training and Social Time, effort, 0.00 18 young people from the Shared Occupation Service involvement, and Schooling Unit (SSU) as users. commitment. Professional workers Time, effort, 0.00 3 positions for the technical team. (technical team) involvement, and commitment. WeL’Afrau Association Monetary contribution. 15,961.56 (19.75%) 7 people benefiting from the SSU. Grant from the Youth Guarantee Program for horticultural training. Customers Monetary income. 31,893.20 (39.47%) They receive proximity agriculture with social value. Suppliers Monetary outlay. −17,050.50 (−21.10%) Payment for raw materials and services received by the foundation. Families Effort, satisfaction, time, 0.00 5 families of young workers at RSE. and commitment. Public administration Tax revenue and 32,959.05 (40.78%) Subsidies and public contributions subsidy savings. for development of EIC activity maintaining jobs. Community and territory Generating 0.00 Creating collaborative ties with the compatibilities with administration and other activities. surrounding entities. Environmental improvement in abandoned land. TOTAL INPUTS 63,763.29 = + 80,813.79 − 17,050.50 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. The results in the five cases analyzed (Tables 3–7) indicated the positive investment of income from clients and showed the negative investment in the form of expenses in the case of suppliers. The contributions of foundations or parent associations as well as those from the boards of trustees were also repeated. In some cases, like Can Calopa de Dalt (Table 5), there is an agreement with the Barcelona City Council, which represents a major investment. The public administration provides subsidies for the employment of both beneficiaries and members of the technical team. The significant investment in training the beneficiary workers, the technical team, and volunteers must also be valued. In general, suppliers represent an outlay (negative investment) of between −26% (Can Calopa de Dalt) and −46% (Delícies del Berguedà), while customers show a greater range, from 10% (Can Calopa de Dalt) to 77% (Delícies del Berguedà). In the former case, this is due to the agreement with the Barcelona City Council, which includes provision of wine for official events, which would entail an additional 37%. In the last case, the structure is basically the production and sale of products. In the other instances, there is greater dependence on the parent entity and other foundations and associations. 5.3. Identification and Types of Stakeholder Changes The change indicators, shown in numbers, are presented as a basic instrument for calculating the impact. This is a key phase in the development of the SROI. The changes detected (outcomes) for each of the interest groups are listed and classified in terms of the exchange rate (social, economic, or environmental) and according to their direct or indirect impact on the activity and results of the SF entity. All the cases studied and selected, outcomes, and indicators have been grouped in standard fashion, according to similarity. 5.4. Measurement of the Changes The relevant changes for each stakeholder as a result of the activity carried out in the project were monetized using the indicators defined above. The selected numbered indicators (24 chosen from 42) Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 16 of 28 in accordance with Table 8, citing the case concerned in order to illustrate the investments made and calculation of the SROI. For each indicator, a financial proxy was used in order to assist in carrying out the monetary calculation, which was different for each circumstance. This was weighted according to the number of units and time used. The source from which the value of the financial proxy was obtained is always cited. Table 8. Identification of exchange rates and exchange indicators. Nature of the Exchange Rate Changes Detected (Outcomes) Change Indicator Exchange Rate Incidence Disabled workers (users) who have Social Direct Number of people who have acquired new skills and abilities acquired new personal and work skills and abilities (1). Social Direct Number of people trained in specialized work (e.g., craft beer; viticulture, etc.) (2). Users who have improved social Social Direct Number of people who have relationships (e.g., making friends, increased interpersonal participating) relationships (3). Social Direct People who participate in social and/or cultural activities (4). Social Direct People whose leisure activities have increased (5) Troubled youth (users) who have Social Direct Number of beneficiaries who have acquired new skills and abilities taken the entrance exam to a training cycle or to the Adult School (6). Beneficiaries who have improved their Social Direct Number of people who use public personal autonomy (income, mobility, transport more (7). home, etc.) Economic Direct Number of people who have found rented accommodation (8). Social Direct Salary received by beneficiaries for work performed (minimum wage) (9). Beneficiaries with improved health Social Direct Number of people whose well-being status through physical exercise, and physical health have healthy lifestyle habits, and working in improved (10). a natural environment Beneficiaries who have improved their Social Direct Number of people whose mental emotional well-being (self-esteem, health status has improved (11). confidence, satisfaction) Volunteers who altruistically devote Economic Direct Number of hours devoted to the time to the project project or entity (12). Volunteers who acquire new Social Direct Number of people have increased professional skills and abilities their skills and professional experience through unpaid work (13). Members of the technical team receive a Economic Direct Monetary amount that workers salary for their work receive for their work (14). Professional workers participating in a Social Direct Number of people who feel linked social project who experience greater to the project because of its social job satisfaction content (15). Members of the technical team who Social Direct People who have increased their job have acquired new job and and professional skills and abilities professional skills since working in the entity (16). The members of the cooperative or Social Direct Number of people in the association who experience greater cooperative or association who feel job satisfaction satisfied by working in a social project (17). Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 17 of 28 Table 8. Cont. Nature of the Exchange Rate Changes Detected (Outcomes) Change Indicator Exchange Rate Incidence The employment integration company Social Direct Number of hours per year of Portal Berguedà which offers psychological care for young people psychological support to young people, with dual pathology given by Portal through the Amalgam Association Berguedà (18). The SHIP2B Foundation volunteers Social Direct Number of people who have who have acquired new skills and expanded their professional abilities, experiencing personal experiences and skills (19). satisfaction in the social project Economic Direct Number of hours devoted to the social project (20). Families reduce the emotional burden Social Indirect Number of families now having a due to the problems of their children’s quieter life with a reduced situation emotional load (21). Potential benefit of shorter healthcare Economic Indirect Number of hours professional time for a disabled family member caregivers can devote to work (22). Saving in direct costs associated with Economic Indirect Number of hours that families no the daily life of people with disabilities longer spend caring for with people with disabilities (23). Saving for the Foundation in costs of Economic Indirect Number of people supervised by guardianship for users foundations (24). People working in the technical team of Economic Indirect Average unemployment benefit in the Foundation or Association Catalonia (2014) multiplied by the number of workers (25). Savings for the public administration in Economic Indirect Benefits (in €) that the public guaranteed minimum income payments administration saves in minimum income payments by placing workers in an SF project (26). Direct revenue from taxes and duties Economic Direct Amount of revenue for the Treasury (VAT, personal income tax, fees, etc.) for in taxes and duties (27). the public administration Contribution of the public Economic Direct Amount of benefits for labor administration to the EIC and SWC for integration of workers with employing people with disabilities disabilities (28). Savings in unemployment benefits Economic Indirect Amount of benefits payments saved by the public administration thanks to the SF project (29). Public administration (PPAA) savings Economic Indirect Number of people who have in dependency benefits stopped receiving dependency benefits (30). Savings for the health system Economic Indirect Difference in cost in terms of frequency of visits to Primary Care Centers (31). Social Security fees paid to the public Economic Direct Revenue (in €) from Social Security administration contributions to the public administration (32). Public administration savings due to Economic Indirect Average unemployment benefit in creation of professional employment in Catalonia (2014) multiplied by the SF projects number of technical team workers (33) Savings in the maintenance of Economic Indirect Number of hectares of the Can properties belonging to the Barcelona Calopa de Dalt farmhouse City Council and Sabadell (Collserola Park) and the Sabadell Agrarian Park Agrarian Park estate managed by Can Calopa (34). Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 18 of 28 Table 8. Cont. Nature of the Exchange Rate Changes Detected (Outcomes) Change Indicator Exchange Rate Incidence Barcelona City Council saves on the Economic Direct Number of bottles of “Wine of the purchase of wine bottles from other City of Barcelona” at an agreed price producers with Can Calopa de Dalt (35). Contribution to local economic Economic Indirect Economic value of goods purchased development to develop the activity (36). Economic Indirect Value (in €) of contracting services and jobs to develop the project’s activity (37). Contribution to obtaining added value Economic Indirect Difference in price between the cost with proximity agriculture in SF of the raw material used and income for the final product (by units) (38). Promotion of territorial compatibilities Economic Indirect Existence of economic promotion associations participating in the SF project (39). Fire risk reduction in the natural parks Environmental Indirect Number of hectares of farms of Sant Llorenç del Munt and Collserola managed by SF entities. This can be generalized to all cases (40). Improvement of the biodiversity of the Environmental Indirect Report on improvement of natural territory around the project conditions (e.g., vegetation and fauna) (41). Reduction of CO2 resulting from use of Environmental Indirect Difference between CO2 that the farmland managed by the project vegetation managed by the project can capture and CO2 of the previous vegetation (42). Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. To give some examples of the financial proxies in Table 9, we used the prices of certain training but also change among the beneficiary workers (users), members of the technical team, and volunteers. When assessing change due to the project with these stakeholders, the monetary value of the salaries they receive was calculated. Psychological care for young people with pathologies was calculated using the rate for one hour of therapy, which would correspond to savings as part of the SF project in which psychological care is included. Table 9 shows the most common financial proxies applied in our research. Table 9. Measurement of changes that correspond to each indicator chosen in any of the cases. Sources Indicator Num. Time Financial Proxy Value (€) Total (€) Year Beneficiaries who have Cost of acquired new personal and professional 6 3 months 285.70 1714.2 DIBA a 2015 work skills and abilities (1) training and Aprodisca (Ap) career guidance. Users travelling more on 10 trips (1 zone) 3 1 year 940.80 2822.4 TMB b 2015 public transport (7) Ap per week. Beneficiaries who have Average rent of Habitaclia found rented 2 1 year a flat near the 3600.0 7200.0 2015 accommodation (8) Ap farm. Users whose well-being Annual FACUA c and physical health have 6 1 year registration with 597.84 3587.0 Catatalunya improved (10) Ap a gym. 2014 Voluntary hours in the Catalonia’s IDESCAT d project (12) Can 2938 1 year average hourly 15.63 45,920.9 2013 Calopa (CC) wage. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 19 of 28 Table 9. Cont. Sources Indicator Num. Time Financial Proxy Value (€) Total (€) Year Volunteers who improve Average training skills and professional cost: viticulture, 4 3 courses 285.71 1142.8 DIBA a 2014 experience through unpaid horticulture, or work (13), (CC) social care. Monetary value received by Salary of 2015 Report workers (14) Casa Dalmases 1 1 year technical team 6819.9 6819.9 C. Dalmases (CD) staff. People linked to the project Cooperative L’Olivera because of its social content 2 1 year partner or 600.00 1200.0 Coop. 2015 (15) CD association fee. Psychological care (hours) Cost of one hour CEPFAMI for young people with 48 1 year of therapeutic 50.00 2400.0 2015 e pathology (18) Delícies(DB) care. Cost of Families with a quieter life two-weekly CEPFAMI and reduced emotional 3 1 year 1680.0 5040.0 family therapies 2015 e load (21) DB per year. Hours that professional Average hourly IDESCAT d caregivers can devote to 11,160 1 year wage in 15.63 174,431. 2013 work (22) CC Catalonia. Hours that families have Cost of one hour ceased to spend caring for ECODES f 1560 1 year of Home Help 7.51 11,715.6 people with disabilities (23) Report 2015 Assistant. AP People supervised by Average annual Can Calopa 8 1 year 3482.3 27,858.4 foundations (24) CC cost of a tutor. Rep. 2015 Public administration Unemployment CCOO T. savings by employment of 7.5 1 year benefits 9945.6 74,592.0 Union 2014 workers (25) Riuverd (RV) (Catalonia). Public administration Guaranteed savings in minimum minimum CCOO Trade 1 1 year 6725.7 6725.7 income benefits due to income (Catalan Union 2014 employment (26) RV Average). Treasury revenue from PPAA income Riuverd Rep. 1 1 year 13,137 13,137.1 taxes (27) RV from taxes. 2015 Benefits from employment Unemployment CCOO T. U. 3 1 year 9945.6 29,836.8 of disabled workers (28) AP benefits (Cat). 2014 People who have ceased to Annual benefit C. Calopa receive dependency 1 1 year 600.00 600.00 amount. Report 2015 benefits (30) CC Public administration Value of Social Riuverd revenue from Social 1 1 year Security 21,842 21,842.0 Report 2015 Security payments (32) RV payments. Hectares of the farmhouse Cost per ha. in Barcelona Can Calopa de Dalt in 150 ha 1 year agro-forestry 1125.0 168,750. City Council Collserola Park (34) CC maintenance. 2014 Number of bottles of “Wine 5000 Retail price of a L’Olivera of the City of Barcelona” 1 year 15.00 75,000.0 bottles bottle. Coop. 2015 (35) CC Purchase value ElC Portal Goods purchased to 5.13 tons 1 year of goods and 12,971 66,570.5 Berguedà develop the activity (36) DB services. Rep. 2015 Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 20 of 28 Table 9. Cont. Sources Indicator Num. Time Financial Proxy Value (€) Total (€) Year Contracting of services and Value of El Portal work to develop the activity 1 1 year subcontracting 21,842 31,121.2 Berguedà (37) DB services. Rep. 2015 Number of hectares of Cost per ha. of farms managed by entities 150 ha 1 year 1125 168,750. CTFC g 2015 fire prevention. (40) CC Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews and several institutions. a DIBA (Barcelona Provincial Council); b TMB (Barcelona Metropolitan Transport Authority); c FACUA (Association of Consumers in Action); d IDESCAT (Catalan Institute of Statistics); e CEPFAMI (Center for Family and Individual Therapy); f ECODES (Ecology and Development Consulting); g CTFC (Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia) and the fire service. 5.5. The Social Return of Investment (SROI): Total Impact Value The impact corresponds to what is obtained during the SF implementation process. In the five cases analyzed, the impact of SF projects as a result of changes for stakeholders shows a similar structure. Workers, both those at RSE and technicians, have paid employment that can be accounted for. In the case of volunteers, the change is calculated as a financial proxy of the average salary. The families of workers and certain entities, with which there are agreements, also account for change that can be valued with financial proxies or by economic results. However, there is generally no impact, and only one investment, with customers, suppliers, and some of the foundations and associations that provide income. The impact for the public administration is positive with tax revenue and social security payments, as well as savings on social subsidies. Finally, there is a major impact with the community and local territory thanks to contracting of services, acquisition of goods, and environmental improvements, among other benefits. The SROI is an extension of the ROI concept, because introduce social and environmental variables and not only economic ones (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/returnoninvestment.asp). This did not allow for the calculation of a SROI for each stakeholder in a separate way. In Tables 10–14, in the last column, there is an approximate share of stakeholder according to its impact on the total SROI (€impact / €invested). To calculate the distribution of the SROI among the stakeholders was to apply the percentage of the impact (column 3) to total SROI of the entity. (1) The social return of Aprodisca is €2.90 for each euro invested. Table 10. Distribution of the impact by stakeholders and SROI calculation in Aprodisca Environmental i Ecològics. Stakeholder Total Impact Value (€) % Impact € impact/€ Invested Workers with intellectual disability (RSE) 47,904.67 25.43 0.74 Professionals (technical team) 37,353.64 19.83 0.57 Aprodisca Association (parent) 0.00 0.00 0.00 Customers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Suppliers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Family members of workers with 14,821.01 7.87 0.23 disabilities (RSE) Public administration, provincial and state 37,548.59 19.93 0.58 Community and local territory 43,785.60 23.24 0.67 Volunteers at the Horticultural School 6952.89 3.69 0.11 TOTAL 188,366.40 100.00 SROI = 2.90 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 21 of 28 (2) The social return of Can Calopa is €2.75 per euro invested, and 10% of the exchange rate is of an environmental nature. Table 11. Distribution of the impact by stakeholders and SROI calculation in Can Calopa de Dalt. Stakeholder Total Impact Value (€) % Impact € Impact/€ Invested Workers with disabilities and users of 123,791.64 10.10 0.28 home-residence (RSE) Technical team: professionals and those of 246,335.22 20.11 0.55 the home-residence Volunteers 36,432.86 2.97 0.08 Barcelona City Council 180,937.50 14.77 0.41 Sabadell Agrarian Park 5259.38 0.43 0.01 Customers of production and external 0.00 0.00 0.00 services Suppliers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Public administration, provincial and state 113,430.10 9.26 0.25 Families and tutors 224,039.79 18.29 0.50 Guardian foundations: “Som Fundació” 25,072.56 2.05 0.06 and 3 more Community and local territory 269,785.47 22.02 0.61 TOTAL 1,225,084.52 100.00 SROI = 2.75 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. (3) The social return of Casa Dalmases is €2.73 for each euro invested. Table 12. Distribution of the impact by stakeholders and SROI calculation in Casa Dalmases. Stakeholder Total Impact Value (€) % Impact € Impact/€ Invested Disabled workers (RSE) 6914.50 11.90 0.32 Foundation users and workers in the Espígol store 14,370.39 24.72 0.67 Permanent volunteers in the technical team 3353.91 5.77 0.16 Temporary volunteers in the technical team 11,321.83 19.48 0.53 Casa Dalmases Foundation technical team 7064.97 12.16 0.33 Members of the board of trustees of Casa Dalmases 0.00 0.00 0.00 Family members of people in programs of social 468.25 0.81 0.02 and job integration (RSE workers) Customers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Suppliers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Collaborating entities (Alba Association, 0.00 0.00 0.00 L’Olivera, etc.) “Obra Social La Caixa” Foundation 0.00 0.00 0.00 Public administration 2882.92 4.96 0.14 Community and territory 11,742.68 20.20 0.56 TOTAL 58,119.45 100.00 SROI = 2.73 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. (4) The social return of Delicies del Berguedà is €2.38. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 22 of 28 Table 13. Distribution of the impact by stakeholders and SROI calculation in Delícies del Berguedà (Fundació IE Portal). Stakeholder Total Impact Value (€) % Impact € Impact/€ Invested Workers of the employment integration 44,647.74 16.22 0.39 company (EIC) Professionals (technical team) 51,384.30 18.67 0.44 Volunteers and trainees 16,363.67 5.95 0.14 Ship2b Foundation 3800.00 1.38 0.03 Customers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Suppliers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Families of EIC workers 6740.16 2.45 0.06 Portal Foundation 0.00 0.00 0.00 Amalgama Association 0.00 0.00 0.00 Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation 0.00 0.00 0.00 (Agrosocial network) Public administration 46,325.86 16.83 0.40 Community and local territory 105,968.68 38.50 0.91 TOTAL 275,230.40 100.00 SROI = 2.37 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. (5) Due to savings for the administration in social work, healthcare, and employment services finding work for people in the collective at RSE, Riuverd has a social return of €2.22 per euro invested, and this especially benefits the community and the territory. Table 14. Distribution of the impact by stakeholders and SROI calculation in the EIC Riuverd. Stakeholder Total Impact Value (€) % Impact € Impact/€ Invested Disabled workers in the EIC 30,921.81 21.17 0.47 Users of Training, Social, and Employment 14,154.49 9.69 0.22 Service Professional workers (technical team) 24,188.43 16.56 0.37 L’Afrau Association 0.00 0.00 0.00 Customers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Suppliers 0.00 0.00 0.00 Families of EIC workers 11,233.60 7.69 0.17 Public administration, provincial and state 47,729.55 32.68 0.73 Community and territory 17,823.71 12.20 0.27 TOTAL 146,051.58 100.00 SROI = 2.22 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. 5.6. Calculation of Social Return on Investment (SROI) It is important to distinguish between initial investments in the SF project and the impact for stakeholders at the end. The clearest situations are those of customers and suppliers, who contribute income or give rise to expenses but normally are not subject to any impact. After calculating the SROI of each entity some corrections had to be made to establish “the current value of the impact”; here, the 2015 exercise only (Table 15). This basically involved correcting the impacts for more than one year to Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 23 of 28 adapt them to an annual framework using the social discount rate on investments in the environment or social elements, which was set at 3%. Also used was the decrease (drop-off), which expresses a percentage of reduction for each year since the beginning of the investment. The total impact (column 3) is the value of the impact before adaptation to 2015 exercise and the present value of impact (column 4) is the value after adaptation. Then, the last column (present value of impact/total investment) will be the SROI for year 2015. The results are shown below. Table 15. Investment values, impact and SROI ratio for each entity and together (in €). Total Total Present Value Entity Total Impact Impact/Total SROI 2015 Investment of Impact Investment Aprodisca 63,151.04 188,366.40 182,880.00 2.98 2.90 Amb Eco Can Calopa de Dalt 432,645.59 1,225,084.52 1,189,402.45 2.83 2.75 Casa Dalmases 20,652.16 58,119.45 56,458.85 2.81 2.73 Delícies Berguedà 112,550.01 275,230.40 267,213.99 2.45 2.37 Riuverd 63,763.29 146,051.58 141,797.65 2.29 2.22 TOTAL 692,762.09 1,892,852.35 1,837,752.94 2.73 2.65 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. The total impact depends on the size of the project and even the time that the project is operative. However, the differences in SROI between cases are small, and an average of €2.73 or €2.65 of impact per euro invested is representative of SF in general. Next, we present in Table 16 the distribution of the impact among the main stakeholders. Table 16. Distribution of the impact among stakeholders by each entity and jointly (in €). Aprodisca Can Casa Delícies Entity/Stakeholders Riuverd TOTAL % A. E. Calopa Dalma Berguedà Beneficiaries 47,905 123,792 21,285 44,648 45,076 282,706 14.9 Technical team 37,354 246,335 7065 51,384 24,188 366,326 19.4 Volunteers 6953 36,433 14,676 16,364 – 74,426 3.9 Families and tutors 14,821 249,113 468 6740 11,234 282,376 14.9 Public administration 35,549 113,430 2883 46,326 27,730 245,918 13.0 Agreement among – 186,197 – 3800 – 189,997 10.1 entities Community, Territory 43,786 269,785 11,743 105,969 19,820 451,103 23.8 TOTAL 188,366 1,225,085 58,119 275,230 146,052 1,892,852 100.0 Source: Authors’ own, using data from in-depth interviews. The distribution of the impact among the stakeholders shows that the workers in SF projects, beneficiaries, technical team and volunteers, have the most impact, which is calculated at 38.3%. The essential fact is the creation of jobs. Likewise, the impact for families and guardians is positive (14.9%) because of improvement in economic, social and psychological conditions with a very small investment. The public administration makes a major investment, but the return obtained (13%) covers it for the most part. Finally, also to be highlighted are the positive impacts, with almost no investment, for the community and the local territory (23.8%), as well as for associations and institutions, which, having established agreements with the leading entities of the projects, have made investments. It is therefore clear that SF actively supports SLD in rural areas. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 24 of 28 The nature of exchange rate can be economic, social, or environmental, as shown in Table 8. Accordingly, it was possible to find a distribution of the total impact among these three types through the change indicator, as seen in Table 17. Then, it was possible to calculate a percentage of total impacts for each type (row 8) and to apply it to the SROI (row 9) to show an approximated contribution. This information can be done for each entity or for all of them. The total impact can also be distributed according to the nature of the exchange rate. Table 17. Exchange rate and its nature in all entities (in €). Entity Economic Social Environmental Total Impact Aprodisca Amb Eco 134,579.81 51,374.15 2412.44 188,366.40 Can Calopa de Dalt 701,793.67 406,559.72 116,731.13 1,225,084.52 Casa Dalmases 41,591.79 16,527.66 0.00 58,119.45 Delícies del Berguedà 217,885.08 57,345.32 0.00 275,230.40 Riuverd 77,915.80 67,357.57 778.21 146,051.58 TOTAL 1,173,766.15 599,164.42 119,921.78 1,892,852.35 % of total impact 62.01 31.65 6.34 100.00 € per € invested 1.65 0.84 0.17 2.66 Source: Authors, using data from in-depth interviews. Table 17 shows the nature of the types of impact. The most significant among them is economic (62%), since the employment of users and the technical team is important, both for themselves and because of the impact on the public administration. However, the social impacts (31.7%) are smaller and financial proxies must be used to calculate the acquisition of user, technical, and volunteer skills, as well as benefits for families, among other stakeholders. The environmental impact is only 6.3%, real events aside, and this is also due to greater difficulties in establishing the elements, indicators, and processes of calculation. In our study, we have referred to the risk of fire in three cases and have overlooked changes in biodiversity or the emission of gases due to technical difficulties. However, we would estimate that the environmental impact could be at least 20%. Among the five cases studied, there are considerable differences where the highest figure appears with Can Calopa de Dalt with an environmental impact reaching 10%, since it has an agreement with the Barcelona City Council whereby it is in charge of managing a forest area. 6. Conclusions We will conclude by answering the three research questions formulated in the introduction. First, there are not yet enough SF entities to make a quantitative change in SRD, but their experiences point to a positive trend (community and territory return) towards encouraging new entrepreneurship. Second, there is a growing social atmosphere in society to buy organic and social products from SF entities, and they have organized distribution cooperatives to join efforts from diverse projects. Third, there is clear evidence that most or all of SF projects brings a clear collaboration between public and private institutions. In 2017, 161 SF projects were identified, representing rapid growth in recent years. A wide spectrum of groups at RSE, ranging from people with disabilities, to those in situations of poverty, and others in danger of dependency, have benefitted from SF. Our research shows that SF in rural areas is an emerging endeavor in Catalonia, offering social, economic, and environmental returns to society of at least €2.65 for every €1 invested in 2015. The analysis carried out in this research, which is based on five SF projects, demonstrates that the SF projects have brought about change and have had a significant impact in the form of benefits for certain stakeholders. One notable result is that users and their families account for 29.8% of the total, while technical staff and volunteers represent 23.3%. The public administrations at provincial and state Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 25 of 28 levels, which have made considerable investments in the projects, account for 13% of the total impact. Finally, the community and the territory concerned (23.8%) and entities that have agreements with the SF projects (10.1%) are among the most benefitted sectors. Part of this impact is the result of job creation (for users and professionals) and another part is due to the generation of income, for example tax revenue for the public administration and the favorable conditions created for services in the territory. However, there are also significant social effects for families, in the training of users and technical staff, and with the positive environmental effect in the territory. We can therefore state that SF favors SLD in rural areas. The SROI methodology used, by means of in-depth interviews and data made available by the entities, has been efficient and accurate. Nonetheless, in order to carry out the research, sufficient specific information was also required. The SROI results always depend on the quality of the quantitative and qualitative information available and allow for comprehensive analysis of SF and the process of the projects’ development. The first step to be taken when using SROI methodology consists in identifying the stakeholders, who are significant in any SF project. They are important both as investors in the beginning of the process and as recipients of the benefits to society at the end. In this study, we consider the process over a period of one year, 2015. Our research shows that there are stakeholders who are basically investors, for example customers and some foundations and associations, while there are others who benefit as workers (users or technical staff), families of users, the community, and the territory. Other stakeholders invest in the projects and receive benefits as well, among them the public administration as the clearest example. The latter helps with grants for creating jobs for users and technical staff and receives in return tax revenue and social security payments as well as saving on the payment of unemployment benefits. Suppliers always represent a negative investment and they receive no return from the projects. The value of SF production is based on quality since the products are organic and the result of a process that generates added value. Moreover, they are regarded as having social value and as fitting into the framework of proximity agriculture. Nevertheless, they must look for ways to adjust prices by means of reducing the number of intermediaries and distribution costs if they are to be competitive. In the interviews, the view is expressed that consumers who are aware of social and ecological value can pay up to 10%–15% above market prices, but no more than that. The creation of cooperatives like Vogadors for commercializing SF products has become a key element for managing this adjustment of prices. SF activity should be seen as part of agricultural multifunctionality and also as pertaining to the productive differentiation and complementarity of the territory. Compatibilities between SF and other activities and entities in a local setting favor their development and enable geographic recognition of products. The SLD of many rural areas is based on the diversification of agricultural or other kinds of activities which, offer a sufficient economic base for maintaining the population. SF entities can be large or small, as long as there is a social project with technical staff and users who will benefit. Often there are parent entities (associations or foundations) that promote the project or help it to develop in its early years. In many cases, the public administration assists with grants or special programs providing economic and social support, or by means of agreements ceding buildings or land in exchange for certain services or the attainment of previously agreed upon goals. SF comes under the rubric of the SSE and is therefore organized and managed by cooperatives or non-profit organizations. It benefits from public sector contributions in accordance with the legal system of each country, as well as from help given by foundations and associations working to protect different groups at RSE. Finally, it should be emphasized that cooperatives working in the area of commercialization have been established, together with job training foundations which help to establish SF in the territory and society in addition to fostering a social connection between producers and consumers. Author Contributions: Investigation, A.F.T., A.V., C.G. and N.V. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4632 26 of 28 Funding: This research has been funded by Catalan Government and RecerCaixa (2014ACUP29), the Spanish Ministry of Economy (CSO 2015-65257-R), and the Catalan Government (2014 SGR-1090; Applied Geography). Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank Laia Sendra and Josep Espluga for their help in collecting and analyzing information (project 2014ACUP29). They are also grateful for discussions on the subject with Anna Badia, Àngel Cebollada, Enric Mendizabal, Marta Pallarès-Blanch (project CSO 2015-65257-R). 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