Methodology for assessing the social (environmental) influence of impact projects on the achievement of sustainable development goals in an organization

Abstract

Impact projects are ushering in a new era of responsible entrepreneurship, but they face various challenges during implementation. This article analyzes current methodological approaches to assessing the social (environ-mental) influence of impact projects, which are characterized by the lack of standardized tools for measuring their contribution to the achievement of sustainable development goals. Accordingly, the main purpose of this study is to develop and substantiate a methodological approach to assessing the impact of impact projects using formalized mathematical and statistical methods. The methodological basis of the study was the «Five Dimensions of Impact» theory and the Sustainable Development Concept itself, which integrate analytical and managerial approaches to assessing an organization impact on society and the environment. In this regard, the system re-search methods and comparative analysis were integrated, as well as tools of set and discrete function theory to construct a quantitative impact assessment model. The information base included the results of international and domestic studies, materials from domestic research schools and charitable foundations, and analytical reports from Impact Management Project (IPM) and Global Impact Investing Management (GIIN). Collectively, this led to the following findings: a formalized scale for assessing social (environ-mental) impact was developed, which allows for the classification of impact projects by impact assessment levels, minimizing subjectivity. Thus, the following conclusion was reached: the proposed methodology ensures objectivity and reproducibility of impact assessment and can serve as the basis for developing a national system for measuring the contribution of impact projects to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.