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Table 2 A social capital approach in practice

From: Enabling pathways to health equity: developing a framework for implementing social capital in practice

For policy & decision makers

For local practitioners

For communities & individuals

Policies and frameworks guide and enable effective practice at the community level

Skilled and well-supported community workers facilitate community development and local initiatives

Individuals and groups in communities develop strong networks of mutual support and social action and gain economic and other resources as a result

Long term vision & commitment

• Focus on social and economic sustainability despite demands of short term political agendas

• Base initiatives on analysis of changing needs and developmental approaches

• Experience long term changes with positive impacts on health and wellbeing

• Endorse community capacity building and development as valued strategy across government

• Develop strategies for meaningful change rather than ‘quick fix’ with superficial impact

• People in communities are part of the solution instead of being seen as part of the problem

• Invest in the future through planned on-going programs rather than short term ‘projectism’

• Link small and manageable local initiatives into coherent programs through coordinated planning

• See lasting positive changes occur through public funding

• Explicit policy statements on health equity

• Community people come to recognize that meaningful change can happen

Sectors working together

• High level endorsement of importance of collaboration

• Pool resources to achieve better outcomes through effective and efficient collaboration

• Services and initiatives are better able to respond to people’s daily lives with consistency and coherence

• Integrate programs across sectors to avoid the ‘silo’ effect

• Underpin projects and programs with long-term social & economic goals as well as short term milestones

• Economic objectives support the achievement of equity and population health

• All sectors committed to social& health equity

• Reward workers for working together to generate more effective ideas and share resources

• Provision of support services such as transport and childcare improves access to services

• Make collaborative and cooperative ventures standard practice

Building effective relationships

• Provide incentives for programs and funding frameworks for community building and participatory approaches

• Engage local people in developing positive strategies as a priority

• Local people have good reason to become involved and stay engaged

• Support resources and training to develop healthy and long term relationships

• Take time and care to ensure that involvement is democratic and relationships are respectful

• Relationships are built on trust and respect for others’ roles and contributions

• Make workers feel supported and rewarded for taking on the complex and demanding work of community development

• People have access to a variety of helpful support networks and social relationships (bonding, bridging & linking social capital)

• Attract and retain experienced and skilled staff to community development projects

Generating knowledge about what works

• Learn about complex models of change from national and international experience

• Design projects using what is known about models of effective practice

• Best use of available time and resources

• Provide support and resources for monitoring and evaluating change as it occurs

• Ensure skills and resources are available to assist in gathering information about what works and why in the local context

• Evaluation is directed towards learning and improving and based on an understanding of complex models of change

• Respect different kinds of knowledge and expertise

• Collect valuable knowledge at the local level from workers and community members and use it to improve practice

• People feel valued and able to work as partners in developing ideas and strategies for improving health and reducing inequities