Social Return on Investment Report: The systems approach to transformative economic empowerment and resilience in Koh Kong province (STEER) project

The Systems Approach to Transformative Economic Empowerment and Resilience (STEER) project was implemented in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, to address the root causes of poverty and underperformance in agricultural markets through a market-based, systems-oriented approach. The project aimed to improve economic empowerment, household well-being, and community resilience by supporting farmers and value chain actors. Over five years, STEER significantly enhanced agricultural productivity and contributed to more equitable household financial decision-making. Notably, the project led to a substantial decline in children’s involvement in farming and harmful work, highlighting its positive impact on child protection and family welfare.

To measure the broader effects of the STEER project beyond conventional outcome indicators, a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis was conducted. Results show that the project delivered strong economic, social, and environmental benefits, generating an impact value of over $10.4 million by project end and a projected value of nearly $42 million over five years post-implementation. The overall SROI ratio reached $12.11 for every $1 invested. The majority of benefits were economic (76.7%), followed by social (22.7%) and environmental (0.6%). These findings demonstrate the STEER project’s significant value in promoting sustainable development and well-being in rural communities.