Exploring the role of social capital in urban citizens’ initiatives in the Netherlands

Wentink, Carlijn; Vaandrager, L.; Dam, R.I. van; Hassink, J.; Salverda, I.E.

doi:10.1016/j.gaceta.2017.05.011

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…We are conscious that the relation between active citizenship and social capital could be mutual; even Wentink et al (2018) observed that "Social capital within citizen initiative is both a prerequisite for the formation of initiatives and a result of the existence of initiatives." This means that a problem of endogeneity for social capital could arise, undermining consistency of our estimates.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Social capital is therefore the precondition for active citizenship, which implies that people are involved and play an active role in decision-making processes of public institutions (European, national and local) for the benefit of the community they belong to, in terms of well-being and social inclusion. As highlighted by Wentink et al (2018), "An existing network of relationships (connectedness) is needed for an idea to emerge and take form. Some level of trust between people needs to be present from the start of the initiative.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The empirical research designed to study the possible association in Europe between individual/household social capital endowment and active citizenship, and not rather lower level forms of citizen involvement such as civic or political participation, is quite rare; furthermore, in most cases, it is qualitative and with a focus on single countries rather than on the European Union as a whole, also because of reduced data availability (see e.g. Stoker et al, 2004;Esau, 2009;Ruef and Kwon, 2016;Wentink et al, 2018). EU-SILC cross-sectional survey offers a new opportunity for research in this field.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Active citizenship in Europe: the role of social capital

Guagnano

Santini

2020

IJSSP

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show if and to what extent in the EU countries the probability of being an active citizen depends on individual/household social capital endowment, other than on individual/household socio-economic characteristics. The paper provides a deeper insight of the determinants of active citizenship due to the growing concern of the European Commission with citizens’ issues. Design/methodology/approach The core of the paper, which adopts a micro-level perspective, is an empirical analysis, based on a logistic model, of the EU-SILC 2015 survey data. Findings The statistical analysis reveals that individual/household social capital, other than individual/household socio-economic characteristics, represents an important prerequisite for a citizen to be defined as “active.” Research limitations/implications There may be a possible reverse causation between active citizenship and social capital, making this last endogenous. Therefore, results should be taken with some cautions; nevertheless, the estimated effects of the individual/household socio-economic characteristics are coherent with the literature, giving strenght to the results obtained in estimating social capital effects. Practical implications The results show that active citizenship could be enhanced by promoting “desirable” aspects of social capital through specific policies addressed to raise people’s civic and political awareness, active solidarity and connectedness and cooperation between individuals within the communities for their own benefit. Moreover, a crucial role in enhancing active citizenship can be undoubtedly played by a lifelong learning process, from school to adult age, directed to maintain and acquire skills as drivers for active citizenship. Originality/value This study fills a significant gap in the literature, since so far little attention has been paid to individual/household social capital endowment as possible determinant of active citizenship.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Active citizenship in Europe: the role of social capital

Guagnano

Santini

2020

IJSSP

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“…As in many countries, health in the Netherlands is also unevenly distributed across residential areas [ 4 , 5 ]. An effective method in reducing health inequalities may therefore lie in a process-oriented neighborhood development approach [ 6 , 7 ]. Social community enterprises (SCEs) offer such an approach in which residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods can participate in society, be stimulated to live healthier lives, and play an active role in their own community’s development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Health Impact of Social Community Enterprises in Vulnerable Neighborhoods: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

et al. 2022

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Background This 4-year research project focuses on 6 social community enterprises (SCEs) that operate in 5 neighborhoods in a Dutch city. Residents of these neighborhoods face problems such as poor average levels of physical and mental health, high unemployment rates, and weak social cohesion. SCEs offer residents social, cultural, and work-related activities and are therefore believed to help these persons develop themselves and strengthen the social ties in the community. Because of a lack of empirical evidence; however, it is unclear whether and how SCEs benefit the health and well-being of participants. Objective This paper outlines a protocol for an evaluation study on the impact of SCEs, aiming to determine (1) to what extent SCEs affect health and well-being of participating residents, (2) what underlying processes and mechanisms can explain such impact, and (3) what assets are available to SCEs and how they can successfully mobilize these assets. Methods A mixed methods multiple-case study design including repeated measurements will be conducted. Six SCEs form the cases. An integrated model of SCE health intervention will be used as the theoretical basis. First, the impact of SCEs is measured on the individual and community level, using questionnaires and in-depth interviews conducted with participants. Second, the research focuses on the underlying processes and mechanisms and the organizational and sociopolitical factors that influence the success or failure of these enterprises in affecting the health and well-being of residents. At this organizational level, in-depth interviews are completed with SCE initiators and stakeholders, such as municipal district managers. Finally, structurally documented observations are made on the organizational and sociopolitical context of the SCEs. Results This research project received funding from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development in 2018. Data collection takes place from 2018 until 2022. Data analysis starts after the last round of data collection in 2022 and finalizes in 2024. Expected results will be published in 2023 and 2024. Conclusions Despite the societal relevance of SCEs, little empirical research has been performed on their functioning and impact. This research applies a variety of methods and includes the perspectives of multiple stakeholders aiming to generate new empirical evidence. The results will enable us to describe how SCE activities influence intermediate and long-term health outcomes and how the organizational and sociopolitical context of SCEs may shape opportunities or barriers for health promotion. As the number of these initiatives in the Netherlands is increasing rapidly, this research can benefit many SCEs attempting to become more effective and increase their impact. The findings of this research will be shared directly with relevant stakeholders through local and national meetings and annual reports and disseminated among other researchers through scientific publications. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/37966

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The householder is king: Engendering householder participation in bridging the performance gap in homes

Adeyeye

2023

Energy Research & Social Science

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Exploring the role of social capital in urban citizens’ initiatives in the Netherlands

Abstract: This study concludes that social capital within citizens' initiatives is both a prerequisite for the formation of initiatives and a result of the existence of initiatives.

Cited by 4 publications

References 30 publications

Active citizenship in Europe: the role of social capital

Active citizenship in Europe: the role of social capital

The Health Impact of Social Community Enterprises in Vulnerable Neighborhoods: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

The householder is king: Engendering householder participation in bridging the performance gap in homes

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