Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the on-going debate about the best way to measure the economic effectiveness of public policies, as well to explore the possibility of using the social return on investment (SROI) method as one of the indicators. Design/methodology/approach This study combines the SROI method with the case study analysis and comparative study. The paper presents the process of economic evaluation with the use of the SROI methodology and its results, along with methodological and evaluation observations. Findings This study confirms some assumptions based both on the subject literature, as well as, on own experience related to the implementation of the evaluation, the author also points out dilemmas related to the use of SROI analysis and the possibility of using it to measure the effectiveness of social innovation projects. Research limitations/implications The study contains several practical suggestions on the advantages and disadvantages of the SROI method in the evaluation of particular public policy intervention. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the use of SROI analysis of social innovation projects implemented in the frames of public policies. Originality/value The authors’ ambition is to provide practical suggestions on the advantages and disadvantages of the SROI method in the evaluation of particular public policy intervention and to contribute to the discussion about the possible space for comparing the results of economic evaluation based on the SROI method. Furthermore, it is different than most approaches to SROI analysis as the authors combine this method with the case study analysis and comparative study.

Applying Social Return on Investment SROI to measure the effectiveness of social projectsThe article presents the results of research on the possibility of applying the Social Return on Investment SROI methodology for the valuation of the economic results of social projects. The aim of the article is to present the possibility of using the SROI analysis as an indicator for measurement of the effectiveness of social projectsIn this context, the hypothesis has been put that the Social Return on Investment SROI can be a useful tool for evaluating and forecasting the effectiveness of a social project. The article presents the research results obtained in the frames of the research project: “Innovative Social Investment Strength­ening Communities in Europe” InnoSi, funded by the European Commission Programme Horizon 2020.

The main aim of this paper is to present the impact which the Government Program for Social Participation of Senior Citizens (in Polish: Rządowy Program na rzecz Aktywności Społecznej Osób Starszych; ASOS) for the years 2014-2020 had on the social activation of the elderly in Poland, based on a case study of one project. The first part of the article presents a justification for research concerning the activation of the elderly in Poland. Next, the paper discusses the main objective of ASOS, as well as its significance as the first national-level public intervention for social activation of the elderly in Poland. Then, the effects of ASOS on the social activation of the elderly are analyzed. The analysis is based on a qualitative approach to impact evaluation of the Active Regardless of Age project, which was co-financed by ASOS. Finally, the authors identify a list of various types of outcomes achieved by the project which apply to social activation of the elderly. Moreover, the issue of generalizing the project findings for the entire ASOS is discussed. Finally, the paper presents research results of the Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening Communities in Europe (InnoSI) project funded under the Horizon 2020 Program.

Understanding the concepts of innovation in regional governanceThe purpose of this paper is to present the concepts of innovation in regional governance — both their theoretical foundations and empirical dimension. The concepts proposed here are rooted in the public management model, while the idea of regional governance is based on the framework of a multi-level system of making and implementing political decisions. The article analyses definitions of innovation and the process of its implementation. This, in turn, provides a research tool for examining regional governance. The authors present a definition of innovation in public management — a sphere oriented toward meeting common needs of society, as contrasted with the market-oriented private sector. They proceed to pointing out the doctrinal sources of pursuing innovation in public management: theories of democracy, civil society, knowledge, social capital and networks. Finally, they propose a three-part analytical model for examining innovation in regional governance. The study is based on a typical scientific literature review using the following research methods: analysis, synthesis and theoretical modelling.