Social Capital: Lessons from participative research, training and evaluation Thilo Boeck Centre for Social Action

Need for dialogue between theory, investigation and application inform each other and develop some degree of synergy Involves going beyond academic debates towards participative ways of engaging community members and practitioners in discussion and implementation of strategies to enhance social capital

Engaging in Democratic Debates and Reflections Reflection on social capital has to be multifaceted Exploration with community members and practitioners of the meaning of social capital Understanding the situationally specific processes of peoples social interaction Recognising that social capital is influenced by external factors: stereotypes, media, local policies, power structures

Deficit model…. Or? Releasing or enhancing social capital Recognising strengths within communities Look at quality of social relations and their impact

Social Policy and The Enhancement of Social Capital Not every community needs or can enhance the same type of social capital Development of a dual strategy – balance between bottom up and top down approaches – Dont devalue the experientially-grounded knowledge of people themselves Create conditions that nurture social capital The risk of enhancing social capital

Static Social Capital Strong / Static Networks Restricted Sense of Belonging Small Radius of Protective Trust Immediate Reciprocity Restricted Outlook in Life The Harbour

Dynamic Social Capital Diverse Networks Diverse Sense of Belonging Broad Radius of Shared/ Social Trust Generalised Reciprocity Diverse / concrete Outlook in Life Navigation

Dynamic Social Capital Diversification of Networks Alternative Sense of Belonging Enlargement of Trust Generalisation of Reciprocity New / more focused Outlook in Life How to Enhance Social Capital: Setting Sail

Implications for Policy Greater emphasis on processes and how services are developed and delivered Communities have already resources, hence enhancing and releasing social capital Social policy can damage the existing resource