This Monday, April 13, the Impact Tank, the first think-and-do-tank dedicated to impact measurement and social innovations at the initiative of the Groupe SOS and four universities (Sciences Po, Sorbonne University, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris Dauphine-PSL), presented its first book on the occasion of the 4th Impact Measurement Summit. The goal is simple and commendable: to promote access to scientific knowledge on the impact of social policies to inform the debate without political bias.
Titled “What Really Matters: Another Social Model is Possible,” and published by Le Bord de l’Eau editions in the collection “Another is Possible,” it was written under the direction of Tony Bernard, General Director of Impact Tank, associate professor of political science at Lyon 3 University, and Timothée Duverger, head of the Territories Chair of the social and solidarity economy (TerrESS) at Sciences Po Bordeaux and researcher at the Emile Durkheim Center.
“At a time when the goals of reducing public deficits and strengthening the competitiveness of our businesses and defense are on the agenda, it seemed crucial to remind that it is also by redefining what matters in our social model that we can address these challenges,” explained Tony Bernard and Timothée Duverger in the book’s introduction.
Anticipate, plan, and measure
According to the Impact Tank, the State, often perceived as opaque and bureaucratic, must regain a compass: efficiency and long-term thinking. Faced with major challenges – ecological transition, demography, social cohesion – urgency alone cannot dictate our choices. Anticipation, planning, and measurement are essential.
Social Impact Measurement is not just a technical indicator. It is a tool to question our policies: how to ensure that democratically decided policies achieve their full effectiveness in their implementation? This evidence requirement allows for setting priorities, correcting what doesn’t work, and legitimizing social investments. It sheds light and calms public debate with facts, scenarios, and comparisons. The postscript is written by Clément Beaune, High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning, and Jean-Marc Borello, co-president of the Management Board of Groupe SOS.
Strengthening our social cohesion
Through six chapters, recognized personalities from the research world like sociologist Aude Kerivel, from public action and the social and solidarity economy (ESS), like Benoît Hamon, call for redefining what really matters in our social model.
Their ambition is to strengthen our social cohesion to give us the means to face major challenges of our time, such as ecological transition, demographic transition, artificial intelligence revolution, or the end of Western hegemony.
To achieve this, they propose a radical change in method: better counting. Better evaluate the cost of solidarity devices for the most vulnerable, for example in the fight against environmental inequalities, the academic success of all young people, access to health and housing. But also, better measure what they produce in economic value – directly in the state’s coffers – and especially in social value: improvement of well-being, strengthening social ties, self-esteem, consolidation of the sense of belonging.
Six enlightening chapters
The Impact Tank’s book proposes the following six enlightening chapters: 1. Social Investment: preparing for the future rather than repairing the past by Bruno Palier, CNRS Research Director at the Center for European Studies at Sciences Po. 2. Just Transition: working together for a new social project by Nicolas Duvoux, Professor, Université Paris 8 Vincennes, director of the Philanthropy Center at the University of Geneva, scientific president of the National Council for the Fight against Poverty and Social Exclusion, and Anne Monier. 3. Social Mix and Cooperation: a school project for tomorrow by Aude Kerivel, sociologist, director of LEPPI (Laboratory for the Evaluation of Public Policies and Innovations). 4. Better Welcoming by Hippolyte d’Albis, economics professor at ESSEC Business School, and chief economist at the Inspectorate General of Finance. 5. Development aid: the promise to always uphold a fairer world by Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, professor at UCLouvain and Sciences Po. 6. Doing Good Instead of Just Numbers: ESS paves the way by Benoît Hamon, president of ESS France, former minister.
