Why Social Impact Bonds Are a Game-Changer

Student retention efforts often lack accountability and measurable outcomes. Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) change that by requiring rigorous, third-party validation of both financial and social impact. Institutions only pay for proven results, making this a risk-free, outcome-driven model.

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At SOSU Østjylland, this means: 

• Baseline and impact evaluation—ensuring measurable improvements in key areas such as dropout reduction, student engagement levels, and overall academic persistence.
  
  
• Outcomes-based funding—schools and municipalities only invest if retention increases.
  
  
• Scalable, data-driven interventions—creating a model that others can replicate.

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SIBs go beyond funding—they demand measurable impact, ensuring that every intervention delivers real, trackable benefits. This level of accountability sets a new standard for how educational institutions approach student success.

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“This initiative proves that innovative collaborations between public and private sectors can tackle complex welfare challenges. The results set a powerful example for future partnerships.”‍

Gurli Martinussen, Chair of the Council for Social Investments, Aarhus Municipality

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Documented Retention Impact

•  110 less dropouts—a 9% increase in retention compared to previous years.

• Financially sustainable—schools and municipalities only pay for results, with independent evaluations conducted by third-party assessors who measure retention rates, financial savings, and student success outcomes against pre-established benchmarks.

• 8% of students accepted support—via real-time student check-ins, leading to immediate intervention.

•  90 educators trained—to enhance their ability to analyze and utilize well-being data effectively.

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Real-time tracking has transformed how institutions identify risks and improve student retention with timely interventions. With clear, data-backed insights, decision-makers can now identify at-risk students early and take targeted action to keep them enrolled and supported.

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“The data-driven approach at SOSU Østjylland is redefining how student retention is measured and improved. StudentPulse is proud to be part of this transformation.”‍

Anders Bøegh, CEO of StudentPulse

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Our Contribution to the Project

The success of this initiative is driven by real-time student insights and proactive intervention strategies. By tracking student well-being at key points in their educational journey, schools can take immediate action to prevent disengagement and improve retention.

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How StudentPulse Contributes:

• Early Risk Detection: Monthly student check-ins identify trends in engagement and well-being.

• Proactive Interventions: Real-time data enables educators to act before issues escalate.

• Seamless Support: At-risk students are quickly connected to internal advisors for targeted support.

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By integrating ongoing data analysis with direct interventions, StudentPulse ensures that well-being challenges don’t turn into dropouts.

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A Scalable Model for Student Success

The SOSU Østjylland initiative is more than a case study—it’s proof of concept for institutions looking to improve retention through a structured, validated model.

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The project has already demonstrated its potential to be replicated across other educational institutions. The combination of targeted interventions, real-time data, and results-based funding is a blueprint for the future of student retention.

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With clear financial accountability, measurable student outcomes, and a replicable intervention framework, the question isn’t whether this model works—it’s how soon others will adopt it.

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📌 See how data-driven retention strategies can transform your institution.

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