Lead Partner: North Central Region Centre for Rural Development
Description
Rural America is a complex mixture of peoples and cultures struggling for survival by implementing innovative approaches to their problems. In the midst of this struggle it is important to note that every community, howeve rural, isolated or poor, has resources within it. When those resources are invested to create new resources, they become capital.
There are seven forms of capital in and available to rural areas: Natural capital, Cultural capital, Human capital, Social capital, Political capital, Financial capital, Built capital.
The integrative approach of the seven capitals provides a framework for understanding rural society based on the concepts and explanations of social science. Issues addressed within the context of the community capitals framework could include racial and cultural diversity, globalization and rural communities, the central role of rural areas in organizing a sustainable future, and building community in the context of ubiquitous change. The notion of empowerment— that the understanding and analysis provided through the social sciences can result in community action -is key.
The Center’s work in developing the Community Capitals Framework has spawned a number of exciting initiatives across the country in helping Extension and other agencies map both input into program development and outcomes and impact. The Community Capitals Framework helps Extension educators go beyond tracing the impact of programs on individuals to tracing the ripple effect of the program on the community.
Resources
Further references
http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/commcap/7capitals.htm
International case studies
http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/benedum/index.htm
“The Center’s work in developing the Community Capitals Framework has spawned a number of exciting initiatives across the country”