Impacts are the broader or longer-term effects of a programme, i.e. the consequences of the work integration programme outputs (methodologies, tools, services or products) and outcomes (changes, benefits, learning), after the programme’s completion.

Methodologies for assessingimpactsin the social fieldare stillunderdevelopedand requirecomplexvalidityandcredibility criteria.The challenge ofmeasuringimpactslies in the ability todistinguish between the specific effects directly attributable to the work integration programme on the subsequent life path of individuals, and contributions attributable to variablesexternal toit. Variablessuch aspersonal factors(accidental or unfortunate life events), changes in economic conditionsand the labourmarket (crisis orgrowth cycles) or changes in the network of socialservices(improvements or setbacksinsupport systems).