Measuring Capabilities and Cohesion: An ESIA Framework for Sustainability-Oriented Educational Governance

Current higher and post-secondary education evaluation privileges economic outputs while neglecting broader social value. This paper introduces Educational Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), a framework that adapts Product Social Impact Assessment to educational projects. ESIA integrates stakeholder mapping, social topics (well-being, inclusion, empowerment, skills), multi- capital outcomes (human, social, infrastructural, financial), and a three-phase project life-cycle (design, piloting, post-project). We demonstrate applicability through three cases: a VET excellence network, a school-leadership program, and a university SDG initiative. ESIA enables policymakers and managers to track how educational initiatives generate social value over time, extending accountability beyond narrow economic metrics. The framework provides a governance-ready template for evidence-based decision-making while preserving contextual nuance.