A New Integrated Framework to Assess the Impact of Social Farming on Sustainability and Rural Development: A Case Study in Lazio
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Type
article
Volume
17
Issue
4
Start Page
1715
End Page
1734
Journal
Abstract
The importance of social farming (SF) is known in the literature, yet there is a
lack of suitable tools for evaluating and monitoring these practices. Moreover, there is
also a lack of data and information about the outcomes of the experiences and the impact
they have on various stakeholders. Consequently, it is difficult to understand the extent
to which SF can contribute to the achievement of sustainability and rural development
goals. This study proposes an integrated framework to evaluate social farming practices,
combining different methodologies such as SWOT analysis, Business Model Canvas (BMC),
Social Return on Investment (SROI), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The research
evaluated a regional initiative in Lazio Region (Italy), aimed at the socio-occupational
integration of disadvantaged individuals through SF networks. Data collection involved
127 stakeholders through interviews and focus groups. Through the integration of SWOT
analysis and BMC, the strong influence of the local contexts and project leaders on the
impacts of SF is shown. In addition, the integration of AHP with SROI highlights how to
address the limitations in quantifying social, economic, and environmental benefits, thus
improving the accuracy of impact assessments. Finally, the results underline the need for
policies that ensure the continuity and scalability of SF projects, highlighting the central
role of the farm in sustainable socio-occupational inclusion. The study contributes to the
advancement of SF evaluation methodologies and informs future policy development.
Subjects