An afternoon dedicated to exploring the role of impact assessment and measurement for Benefit Corporations, with a focus on different methodologies and practical tools: this was the theme of the latest Fit4Benefit meeting.

Hosted by Va Lentino srl SB at Imbarchino, the session brought together 14 organisations for a training and peer-exchange activity focused on impact.

Led by Amapola and Mercato Circolare, the meeting is part of the broader Benefit Corporations Community of Practice, developed in collaboration with Unione Industriali Torino and co-designed with the Benefit Corporations Amapola, BDFL Torino STP SB, Futura Law Firm and Mercato Circolare, with the support of the Torino Chamber of Commerce and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.

Following the opening remarks by Torino Social Impact, delivered by Lorena Di Maria, Nadia Lambiase from Mercato Circolare engaged participants with a guiding question: “What keyword comes to mind when you think about impact?”

The discussion started from one word: change.

Impact can be defined as the social, environmental or economic change generated by an organisation, activity, project or intervention. Understanding it therefore means going beyond simply measuring the activities carried out and examining the effects generated over time on people, communities and the local area.

From this perspective, impact assessment can become a driver of continuous improvement and innovation, providing data and evidence to support decision-making and the development of new solutions. It can also strengthen dialogue with stakeholders and build trust, supporting impact communication based on concrete evidence.

This led to a second key point shared during the session: there is no single best methodology for impact assessment.

As Anna Filippucci from Amapola highlighted, the choice of tool depends on the purpose of the assessment, what is being analysed, the data available, the stakeholders to be involved and the organisation’s level of maturity.

The question to ask is therefore not “what is the best method?”, but rather “what is the most appropriate method for this specific case?”.

Participants were then introduced to a range of impact assessment methods and approaches: from narrative approaches and the Theory of Change to SROI, the B Impact Assessment and the Common Good Matrix.

The aim was to illustrate the variety of tools available and the importance of choosing a methodology that reflects each organisation’s specific needs, while also considering the possibility of combining different approaches and drawing on their respective strengths.

Amapola then presented an impact assessment experience carried out in 2025 using the SROI methodology. The case provided an opportunity to explore the process followed, the reasons behind the choice of methodology, how it was applied and the lessons learned.

The methodological discussion was also translated into practice through a workshop activity. Working in groups, the organisations compared the methodologies and assessment tools used in their own experiences, sharing strengths and critical issues. A set of common prompts guided the exchange, encouraging comparison between different approaches and peer learning, before a final plenary discussion.

The discussion then moved to a broader question: how can the value generated by an organisation be defined?

This question highlighted the need for a cultural shift capable of recognising forms of value that cannot be fully translated into monetary terms. A particularly significant reflection for Benefit Corporations, which are called upon to bring together economic, social and environmental dimensions.