Social capital is a broad concept that attempts to encapsulate social, civic and community participation. It describes the pattern and intensity of networks among people and the shared values that arise from those networks. While definitions vary widely, the main indicators of social capital tend to include:

• Social relationships and social support e.g. volunteering
• Formal and informal social networks e.g. football supporters clubs, Women’s Institute, sports leagues, playgroups etc.
• Group memberships e.g. local sports teams, Parent-Teacher Associations
• Community and civic engagement e.g. voting in elections
• Norms and values e.g. faith groups
• Reciprocal arrangements e.g. sharing childcare with friends and neighbours
• Levels of trust in others e.g. a low level of social capital may manifest itself as fear of crime

The Commission on Social Justice defined Social Capital as consisting of "the institutions and relationships of a thriving civil society – from networks of neighbours to extended families, community groups to religious organisations, local business to public services, youth clubs to parent-teacher associations, playgroups to police on the beat. Where you live, who else lives there, and how they live their lives – co-operatively or selfishly, responsibly or destructively can be as important as personal resources in determining life chances.”

Strengthening social capital is one of the ways in which social exclusion can be combated and community cohesion addressed. Research has identified the relevance of social capital to several policy areas e.g. crime, health, education, and civic renewal. Several government surveys are now collecting information on aspects of social capital that are being analysed in a variety of policy contexts.

National Policy Context

The Commission on Integration and Cohesion’s report 'Our Shared Future' (June 2007) sets out practical proposals for building cohesion and integration at a local level. As part of the response to this report, the Government is developing a Cohesion Delivery Framework to provide further advice for local authorities in delivering cohesion – planned for summer 2008.

'An Action Plan for Community Empowerment: Building on Success' (October 2007)  brings together the actions that Communities and Local Government is taking to enable more people to play an active role in the decisions that affect their communities - from participatory budgeting and measures strengthening the role of local councillors to the empowerment of young people and calls for action through petitions and other forms of participation.

Governance of Britain (July 2007) presents the Government’s vision and proposals for constitutional renewal.. The document explores the rights and responsibilities that shape the relationships which the people of this country have with each other. It considers the relationship people have with the institutions of the state, at a local, regional and national level.

Key Challenges in the East Midlands

One of the key challenges impacting on the social cohesion of the region is inward migration. The East Midlands Migration Partnership has recently been established. The partnership will consider and evaluate the impact of migration on the region, and provide a focus for informing regional strategies, particularly relating to housing and planning, community cohesion, education, employment and health.

Lincolnshire is the only area to have included migrant workers in its Local Area Agreement. One of their high level targets explicitly addresses the need to up-skill migrant workers and to increase the number of ESOL courses available to recently arrived individuals. Estimates for the numbers of migrant workers currently living in Lincolnshire has ranged from 50,000 to 70,000. On cohesion, 37.3% of minority ethnic respondents reported that they had been subject to some form of harassment or racial discrimination in the County according to a survey carried out in South Lincolnshire in 2006.

Current Position on Regional Policy

The complex and diverse nature of social capital and cohesion means that it cannot be delivered by a single regional strategy or policy. Some examples of the contributions of component IRS regional strategies to the development of social capital are set out below:

• ‘Investment for Health' (the regional public health strategy) includes an objective to “promote the self-esteem and the mental, spiritual and social well-being of residents.”
• The 'Regional Housing Strategy' seeks to deliver a range of policies which will ensure a more balanced provision of housing that meets the needs of a wide range of people particularly those who are vulnerable or in some way excluded from suitable housing and support.
• ‘Actions for the East Midlands Environment’ (Regional Environment Strategy Part Two) notes the contribution that people make to a “sense of place” and the importance of including local communities at the heart of projects to conserve and enhance the local environment. Action led by the Countryside Agency will “promote community involvement in understanding and making decisions about the local environment by enabling the production of Village Design Statements”.
• ‘A Flourishing Region’, the Regional Economic Strategy for the East Midlands, is committed to creating an environment where all people and communities have the opportunity to create new and sustainable economic futures. Cohesive communities, that create a local culture of inclusion and participation, are built on the foundations of strong connections between economic, social, community, cultural, and environmental considerations.  
• As part of the Regional Spatial Strategy review a programme of community involvement has been developed.
  
  

Links to the relevant sections of the State of the Region Report for 2008 

• Social Capital

Links to relevant sections of the East Midlands Integrated Toolkit (EMIT)

• Social Capital

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