Esade alumni provides 15,000 hours of social consultancy services to 41 third-sector organisations

09.06.2022

Esade Alumni Social, the first pro bono consultancy in Spain and Europe set up by a business school, generates a direct return for society of 2.31 euros for every euro invested in the programme, according to independent consultants

Thursday, June 9, 2022. Esade Alumni Social, the first pro bono consultancy in Spain and Europe set up by a business school, has invested more than 15,000 hours in the 2021/2022 academic year – 15% more than in the previous edition – in 41 third-sector organisations – 6 more than last academic year – the highest figure in the organisation’s 16-year history.

‘We have grown our consultant network and, thus, our ability to help improve different social action projects. We aim to continue providing charitable organisations with the best talent and knowledge to help them fulfil their purposes and achieve higher levels of social, environmental and economic sustainability, in both their strategies and their daily decisions’, said Isabel Rallo, director of Esade Alumni Social.

Esade Alumni Social’s work has a high social impact. The social return on investment (SROI) is 2.31 euros for every 1 euro invested in the pro bono consultancy programme, according to data audited by the consultancy firm Ivenies. The SROI study conducted for the pro bono consultancy programme, which takes into account the hours and resources allocated to consulting, as well as the outcomes achieved, is testament to the programme’s high social impact and the widespread satisfaction of its stakeholders from the various associations and foundations.

Strategic consulting, the flagship activity

The 41 organisations to benefit from the service include NGOs such as Oxfam Intermón, Farmamundi, Plant for the Planet, Pulseras Candela or Fundación Catalana de Síndrome de Down, amongst others. Most are linked to the social exclusion (15), disabilities (7), health (6), children and youth (4), and job placement assistance (3) sectors, amongst others. Volunteers have provided free consultancy services on issues such as strategic analysis (39%), marketing (22%), financial analysis and new forms of funding (12%), feasibility studies for new areas of work (10%) or improvements to in-house processes (10%). To a lesser extent, they have also provided consultancy services related to human resources, service marketing plans, and the digital transformation of in-house processes.

At the international level, Esade Alumni Social has provided support to various institutions that work to reduce social and economic inequalities. Through the Together programme, volunteers have collaborated on the CIPCA-Bolivia project to strengthen organisations that work to promote farmers in the country. They have also actively participated in the Hogar de Cristo project in Ecuador, to provide solutions for the situation of exclusion experienced by people at the borders. Finally, through the private Nous Cims foundation, they have collaborated on innovative projects to assist with the development and promotion of women’s leadership such as La Corena, in Senegal.

Founded in 2006 to promote active participation by Esade alumni in the construction of a fairer society and more sustainable world, Esade Alumni Social have provided more than 130,000 hours of pro bono consultancy services worth 13 million euros to more than 320 third-sector organisations in Spain and collaborated on 18 international initiatives. Nearly 3,000 Esade alumni have participated in the programme over its 16 years of activity.