Anna is a Political Science student at both Sciences Po Bordeaux and Cardiff University. These two institutions partner up to offer a bilingual double-degree undergraduate program that gives students a broad understanding of the political, social and economic sciences. Anna’s academic background paired with her personal passion for human issues and problem solving have spurred her growing interest in development economics and co-operation. 

 

She is therefore thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the summer researching at a highly successful community economic development project, EMBERS Staffing Solutions, in Vancouver’s troubled Downtown Eastside. EMBERS provides work, support and training opportunities to vulnerable individuals, and thus promotes sustainable development in the area. 

 

At EMBERS, Anna will be spending 10 weeks looking for an effective way to measure the value of EMBERS' social impact, drawing on methodologies from diverse quantitive and qualitative approaches such as SROI (Social Return on Investment), conceptual analysis and storytelling. More specifically, she hopes to quantify the value of EMBERS’ work to government and society, and estimate the consequent social spending savings made as a result. 

 

The objective is to demonstrate the power of the social enterprise sector in solving problems and creating social value. Quantifying the impact that EMBERS has had on the community should help to promote investment in social enterprise and innovation as a cost effective and profitable way of driving long-term development.

 

http://www.embersvancouver.com