Muddy Boots

In the pursuit of sustainable rural development, Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS) go beyond traditional metrics to ask: What does true impact look like? This article explores how HRNS applies Social Return on Investment (SROI) as a key tool to quantify the value of its work, translating improvements in productivity, income, and resilience into tangible financial terms. But HRNS also recognizes that not all transformation can be counted. Drawing on experiences from projects in Latin America, East Africa, and Southeast Asia, and recent academic engagement at the University of Hamburg, the piece highlights a nuanced Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) approach. Combining hard data with human stories, HRNS uses SROI not to impress but to learn, adapt, and ensure accountability to the communities it serves. The article advocates for a fit-for-purpose evaluation philosophy, where learning is ethical, context-driven, and ultimately centered on people, not just numbers.

Access to clean water is a critical driver of rural development, directly impacting health, education, and economic stability. In many regions, including coffee-growing communities like El Zarzal, Honduras, inadequate water infrastructure continues to impede progress. This blog explores the profound influence of clean water through a detailed case study of a comprehensive WASH project led by Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung, Healing Waters International, and the Starbucks Foundation. The initiative improved water access for over 500 residents by restoring infrastructure, introducing advanced purification systems, and empowering local governance. The early outcomes, health improvements, increased school attendance, and strengthened local economies, demonstrate the transformative potential of clean water in advancing sustainable rural development.