Practical Social Capital: a policy briefing.

Abstract

This briefing is intended for policy makers who fund and make decisions about the availability of community based programs that intend to strengthen social capital and promote health and wellbeing. The briefing synthesises a more extensive guide (Practical Social Capital: a Guide to Creating Health and Wellbeing) and draws out key lessons for policy makers. The Guide is based on three case studies of the practical application of social capital to health, arts and local government projects. It uses the lessons from these case studies to demonstrate how social capital can be a tool in interventions designed to promote health and health equity. The Guide also provides tools and resources for organisations that want to adopt a social capital approach, and reviews literature on health and wellbeing, social capital and community development and capacity building. The case studies on which the Guide and this briefing paper are based were part of a research project funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant and undertaken in collaboration with industry partners: SA Department of Health, Onkaparinga City Council and Arts SA.