Reports Database:
Seeding Hope • Greening Sustainability – A Social Return on Investment Study for the Wanli District’s Coastal Reforestation

“The Wanli Coastal Reforestation Project’s reforestation and afforestation activities are integral to restoring the ecological balance and protecting the coastline. Conducted by the dedicated teams from TOAF and their business partners, such as Zen Zhou Co., these activities involve strategic planning and execution to ensure the successful establishment of coastal forests. The efforts begin with site preparation, including soil assessment and selection of native plant species best suited to the coastal environment. Following this, the actual planting of saplings is carried out meticulously, taking into account factors such as optimal planting seasons and spacing to maximize growth and survival rates. Regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial components of these activities, involving watering and mulching. These ongoing efforts are designed to combat coastal erosion, improve the overall resilience of the coastline against extreme weather events, and improve the living conditions of local residents.”

“To evaluate the social impact of the Wanli Project, we adhered to the eight principles (Figure 8) outlined in the SROI framework to ensure a comprehensive and accurate analysis. First, we involved stakeholders at every stage to capture diverse perspectives and ensure their needs and insights were integrated into the evaluation. We then focused on understanding what changes occurred as a result of the project, identifying and valuing the things that matter most to the stakeholders. By including only material outcomes, we ensured the analysis remained relevant and focused. We were careful not to over-claim by accurately attributing changes to the project and considering factors such as counterfactuals, attribution, displacement, and drop-off. Throughout the process, we maintained transparency by clearly documenting  methodologies, assumptions, and calculations. We also verified the results through rigorous data collection and validation methods. Finally, we remained responsive to stakeholder feedback and adaptable to new information, ensuring the evaluation was both thorough and reflective of the true impact of the project.”