Social Capital
Social Capital
Social capital is the set of relationships, attitudes and values, such as integrity and mutual respect, that exist in a community and govern interactions among individuals. Simply put, social capital is the positive outcomes of human engagements and the connective trust born from a community’s many networks.
When cultivated properly, social capital builds the foundation for a strong society supporting everything from effective governance to trusted institutions and fair markets. Whether through civic participation, crisis support, or everyday acts of kindness, it drives both individual growth and community progress.
Why It Matters
In many of the regions where Heifer works, poverty is intensified by social, economic, and cultural divisions. Limited access to resources, rigid social norms, and lack of infrastructure can prevent progress. Building social capital helps overcome these barriers by fostering unity, shared purpose, and collective action.
Heifer supports this by:
- Forming self-help groups, cooperatives, and savings-and-loan associations
- Promoting shared goals and community values
- Providing training, tools, and market connections
- Encouraging local leadership and ownership of development
Reducing Poverty Through Connection
Stronger networks lead to greater access to income-generating opportunities. Social capital enables farmers and entrepreneurs to share knowledge, access loans, use improved equipment, and advocate for fairer systems. It’s a key driver of long-term economic development and community resilience.