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The Return on Investment in Social Farming: A Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development in Rural Catalonia

Author

Listed:
  • Antoni F. Tulla

    (Department of Geography, Carrer de la Fortuna s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain)

  • Ana Vera

    (Department of Geography, Carrer de la Fortuna s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain)

  • Carles Guirado

    (Department of Geography, Carrer de la Fortuna s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain)

  • Natàlia Valldeperas

    (Department of Geography, Carrer de la Fortuna s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Antoni F. Tulla & Ana Vera & Carles Guirado & Natàlia Valldeperas, 2020. "The Return on Investment in Social Farming: A Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development in Rural Catalonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-28, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4632-:d:367945
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teresa Savall Morera & Carmen Guzmán & Francisco J. Santos, 2022. "Measuring the impact of sheltered workshops through the SROI: A case analysis in southern Spain," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 93(2), pages 381-415, June.
    2. Francesco Basset & Francesca Giarè & Saverio Senni & Barbara Soriano, 2025. "A New Integrated Framework to Assess the Impact of Social Farming on Sustainability and Rural Development: A Case Study in Lazio," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Agata Nicolosi & Valentina Rosa Laganà & Donatella Di Gregorio & Donatella Privitera, 2021. "Social Farming in the Virtuous System of the Circular Economy. An Exploratory Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Francesco Basset, 2023. "The Evaluation of Social Farming through Social Return on Investment: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.

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