.png)
.png)
We commissioned Hands for Impact to undertake a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study to understand, measure, and demonstrate the value of youth work in Aotearoa.
They analysed 54 youth work organisations from across the motu to identify what changes for young people as a result of youth work, and then calculated what this change was worth to Aotearoa.
Why use SROI for youth work?
Every youth worker can tell you how their work has helped shape the lives of ngā rangatahi they work with. Who was able to get their driver's license, who developed the confidence that helped them get a part-time job, or who otherwise might have ended up in the youth justice system. They know the courage and determination it takes each young person to confront their personal challenges.
But too often, this impact goes unseen. The Youth Work Impact Report helps our sector tell the story of youth work in a way decision makers can see and understand.
.png)
Youth organisations, this one's for you.
The Youth Work Impact Report is a tool to support your conversations with funders, develop your approach to measuring outcomes and impact, and to support your practice.
Want to know more? Come to one of our webinars:
Understanding and Using the Youth Work Impact Report
Date: 28 October
Time: 11:30am
Where: Online via Zoom
Measuring What Matters: Outcomes and Impact in Youth Work
Date: 18 November
Time: 11:30am
Where: Online via Zoom
We want to give a big mihi to all the people involved in this project - especially the researchers!
We're grateful to Hands for Impact, our Working Group, the Peer Review Network, Think Impact, and all the taiohi who shared their personal experiences. Your expertise, wisdom and hard work has been invaluable across this project.
Testing our approach in a Youth Work context
In partnership with two youth organisations we created in-depth SROI forecasts. This allowed us to test our tools, refine our approach, and ground the project in the realities of youth work practice.
Click image for more details.
Published Q1 2026
Exploring the sector's experience
A Working Group of frontline and leadership Youth Work practitioners are helping to map key outcomes and explore how change happens.
A broader review network, including funders, government officials and researchers will reflect on the findings to ensure they are aligned with sector experience.
Q1-Q3 2026
Publication our findings and learnings
Publication of our sector wide impact measurements, telling the story of the impact of Youth Work in Aotearoa, and sharing practical recommendations for the sector.
Together with our Mahi Tūturu mahi, this analysis will strengthen the sector's ability to measure, communicate, and grow their social impact.
Published Q1 2027