Greenspace is good - so prove it!

greenspace scotland is inviting urban community greenspace groups to take part in Social Return on Investment programme

greenspace scotland's two year research programme Greenspace is good - so prove it! funded by the Big Lottery Fund research programme is seeking applications from community greenspace groups wishing to take part.

This groundbreaking project will work with 12 urban community greenspace groups to enable them to understand, calculate and demonstrate the impact of their projects using the Social Return on Investment (SROI) model.  SROI is an approach which measures the multiple social, economic and environmental outcomes and calculates a monetary value to represent these impacts. 

Over the last year, greenspace scotland has been working with Scottish Natural Heritage and local partners to explore how SROI can be applied in the greenspace sector.  The earlier work with greenspace projects such as the Greenlink project in Motherwell and the Pacific Garden in Govan was very well received by the projects and partners taking part.

Stephen Hughes, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with the Central Scotland Forest Trust said:

"We found it a very rewarding experience to go through the social return on investment process with greenspace scotland. It made us realise just how much the Greenlink's voluntary conservation work means to the residents in the area, the wider community and partners such as the Police, NHS and North Lanarkshire Council. The SROI report will definitely help us to better demonstrate the impact our work and attract funding for similar greenspace projects in the future"

Community greenspace groups who are interested in taking part can find out more information on the project and download an application form from greenspace scotland's website at www.greenspacescotland.org.uk or directly by clicking here.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday 9 March 2010.

Published: 11 Jan 2010