A New Integrated Framework to Assess the Impact of Social Farming on Sustainability and Rural Development: A Case Study in Lazio

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.