SVI’s eight principles of social value are a set of social accounting principles:

• Involve stakeholders: To inform what gets measured and how, and to what degree a good or service is valued
• Understand what changes: Articulate how change is created and evaluate this through evidence, recognizing positive and negative changes and those that are intended and unintended
• Value the things that matter: Allocate resources between options based on the values of Stakeholders
• Only include what is material: Determine what information and evidence must be included to give a true and fair picture, so that Stakeholders can draw reasonable conclusions about impact
• Do not over-claim: Only claim the value that directly derives from activities
• Be transparent: Demonstrate the basis on which analysis may be considered accurate and honest, and show that it will be reported to and discussed with Stakeholders
• Verify the result: Ensure appropriate independent assurance. The SDG Impact Standards are aligned with SVI’s seven principles of social value
• Be Responsive: Pursue optimum Social Value based on decision making that is timely and supported by appropriate accounting and reporting.

Social Value International. (2022). Key terminology (Draft definitions, 2022), https://www.socialvalueint.org/standards-and-guidance