This briefing summarises the discussion held during the World Scouting Think Tank session on 2 July 2026, which focused on the social impact of Scouting: how the movement can define impact more clearly, measure it in ways that are meaningful, and communicate its value credibly to different audiences without losing sight of its educational mission.
Explore this publication to learn about best practices in social impact from across the Scouting Movement and beyond.
Understanding the impact of Scouting and its educational methods is complex and multifaceted. In the Scouting context, we understand the impact as an effect on the personal development of young people and, through them, on societies. Our best-intended work may have a positive or negative impact or, ultimately, no impact at all.
This report summarises the key developments and findings from the first phase of pilot studies following the creation of the Impact Measurement Toolkit. The toolkit, devised by Maynooth University, in collaboration with WOSM, YMCA, and member organisations, aims to measure and analyse the impact of youth development initiatives.