Strategy Review of the Humankind Index and Our Economy Report
In 2012, Oxfam GB developed The Humankind Index (HKI). Developed through consultations with communities about what prosperity means to them, the HKI provided a measure to take into consideration safe environments, wellbeing, good relationships and satisfying work, as well as financial security. The aim of this tool was to support decision-makers to consider overall prosperity, rather than financial economic gain. The Our Economy Report, published in June 2013, sought to challenge decision-makers to focus on the quality and distribution of growth, recommending increased usage of the HKI.
In 2014, ERS was commissioned by Oxfam Scotland to conduct a review of the HKI and the influence of the Our Economy Report, considering their effectiveness in the following areas:
Shifting the terms of debate around prosperity and alternative economic models in Scotland
Influencing specific policy change by strengthening community engagement with policy processes
Strengthening the policy processes engagement with communities
In compliance with HM Treasury’s Magenta Book guidance, our evaluation was designed to take a Process Tracing approach in order to: a) evidence multiple explanations for each intended outcome; b) rule out alternative, competing explanations; and c) estimate the level of influence each had on each of the outcomes. Data was collected from a variety of sources. The initial step involved a detailed assessment of documentation provided by Oxfam via the KARL portal. Further information was gathered from a detailed scrutiny of the Scottish Parliament website, with a focus upon Oxfam activity and, specifically, the mention of the Our Economy Report and the HKI. Primary consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders from a range of organisations, including civil society organisations, Members of Scottish Parliament and political party representatives.
Our report highlighted several findings, including ‘causal stories’; for example that the HKI was a catalyst for increased debate about alternative measures to GDP. We also identified next steps and key agents of influence that would support Oxfam Scotland to continue to build on the outcomes of the HKI and Our Economy Report.