Measuring soft outcomes and distance travelled: a review of current practice

This report presents the findings from a study commissioned by the European Social Fund (ESF) to develop a model for measuring 'distance travelled' under ESF supported projects and to identify tools for measuring individual employability gains with a view to developing proposals for monitoring 'soft' indicators at the national level. A review of existing literature which incorporated a survey of ESF-funded projects provided the basis of the information which was then used to design and develop a model to measure 'distance travelled'. Definitions of the terms 'soft outcomes', 'soft...  [+] Show more

This report presents the findings from a study commissioned by the European Social Fund (ESF) to develop a model for measuring 'distance travelled' under ESF supported projects and to identify tools for measuring individual employability gains with a view to developing proposals for monitoring 'soft' indicators at the national level. A review of existing literature which incorporated a survey of ESF-funded projects provided the basis of the information which was then used to design and develop a model to measure 'distance travelled'. Definitions of the terms 'soft outcomes', 'soft indicators' and 'distance travelled' are given and a guide to assist projects and organisations understand and implement systems for recording soft outcomes and distance travelled is provided as an appendix.