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Six steps to measuring the costs and benefits of community involvement (12 Apr 16)
How can you tell if your results will justify the time, effort and cost invested?
Imagine you are faced with the following situations and you have to decide what to do:
- You are planning a summer event for the local community. You must decide how much to spend on promoting it. Personal contacts, posters, telephone calls, notices mailed to residents – each has its advantages; each has its cost. You want to reach as many people as possible, but with a limited budget, you cannot afford to throw money away on advertising that will produce little return. You must decide on whether to run the event.
- Young people on an estate are involved in knife crimes. An organisation would like to start a mentoring programme involving youth workers and adult volunteers. They suggest the programme will improve young people’s school attendance and success and reduce unlawful behaviour. It needs funding. Is it worth it?
- Accommodation on a housing estate does not meet required standards. Renovation would involve reconstruction, plus temporary housing for some residents. Can the results justify the costs?
In each case, “cost benefit analysis” can help you make the right decision. It’s a fairly simple, but effective way of finding the answers
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