NGOs’ Facet in Social Capital and Community Empowerment

Abstract

Social capital and community empowerment are two important domains for NGOs’ development activities. Social capital is the quality and quantity of relationships, networks and norms among people and organisations that facilitate collective action. The objectives are bonding strategies that build trust and cooperation among individuals and within communities; bridging strategies that break down barriers across groups and communities and enable collaborative action on shared objectives; and scaling up strategies that connect communities in collective action for social change and development at the policy and/or systems levels. On the other hand, community empowerment is a broad term that involves social action processes, and individual and collective efforts and outcomes. It refers to individuals, families, organisations and communities gaining control within the social, economic and political contexts of their lives in order to improve equity and their quality of life. The objective of this domain is to promote development by providing motivation, education and proper cognitive, democratic and social skills; increase communities’ capacities and resources to bring people together around common goals and interests; increase participation of the communities in decision-making and problem-solving processes; enhance exchange and partnership with local, regional and international communities and groups; and build-up social capital. This chapter elucidates the complex intersection between social capital and community empowerment. The chapter provides a solid theoretical discussion about different aspects of NGOs’ development and then examines how social capital and community empowerment are widening where NGOs’ role is significant.