Social Capital Indicators

Information Session (a)

Social Capital Indicators

• Concern that the concept of assessing social capital could create more work for organisations. This should not be the case, as long as detailed training in how to adapt and use the indicators is made available.
• How does social capital work for communities of interest? Is it even applicable? Yes, it is a framework of indicators that can be adapted to any community – some parts may be less relevant but it is not a prescriptive framework, and it will complement, not replace, other sets of indicators.
• How much is government prepared to take this on board? It would depend on the purpose of the relevant funding scheme and what it hopes to achieve.
• How do you evaluate a wide range of activities, from lobbying to street theatre? Again it is about adapting the indicators to your needs.
• It should be noted that an organisation or project can produce good bonding social capital in their own community but this can a negative effect on society as a whole. For example, racist groups such as National Front.
• Resources need to be put into training and information on social capital for organisations.