The importance of social capital
You probably know what financial capital and human capital are, but do you know what social capital is? It describes the vitality of human social networks (not digital ones): the sense of belonging, the level of trust among members of a community, the degree of trust those same people have in their institutions. All of these are determining pieces for any human being’s social journey.
Social capital in communities in Spain is, in general, high. But it’s unevenly distributed; people with lower income and less financial security face greater barriers to building it. United Way has been addressing these barriers for decades all over the world, 134 years to be exact. And in Spain it has just celebrated five years of joining forces: generating bonds that keep communities united, working so that children, youth and older people with the most difficulties can access the social capital they are entitled to. Because it’s a fact that connected communities fare better.
There are economic studies and studies from respected NGOs, such as Cáritas, that show communities with high social capital have higher GDP, lower crime rates, higher educational achievement, fewer emergency room visits and less need for social services. This, in turn, means lower cost for society and, therefore, a greater likelihood of attracting support that boosts this virtuous circle that improves everyone’s quality of life. Which increases the common good, in short.
The absence of social capital is, therefore, a determining factor in poverty rates. People who feel connected have a greater capacity to move up the social ladder. For example, the immediate circle (parents, friends, neighborhood) is usually the natural support for accessing a first job. But who can someone growing up in poverty turn to? What work circle can they connect with?
United Way is dedicated to designing and driving synergies between social organizations (NGOs) and social agents (companies, institutions) that make up for the lack of social capital among vulnerable social groups (children, youth, older people).
One of its most active programs is Youth Challenge, which connects young people at risk of dropping out of school with working professionals, generating role models and learning processes that are enormously useful for entering the labor market. In this work, among other resources, it counts on the “superpower” of corporate volunteering, through which companies put their time and energy at the service of the community (children, youth, older people…).
Another recent and significant example is the #LIVEUNITED campaign—specially designed following the pandemic—which helped 20,000 people in Spain thanks to the coordinated action of hundreds of individual donors, several companies, a group of volunteers and 9 social entities. A true network that was and continues to be fundamental to overcoming one of the greatest social crises the world has known.
“Although COVID has presented many challenges, it has also been a valuable, tangible demonstration of what social capital in action can look like,” says Marina Fuentes, director of United Way España. “We saw communities respond with a tsunami of generosity and a great awareness of how important caring for others is. It completely exceeded our expectations.”
This is just one of thousands of examples of how a community with high social capital can respond when called upon. “My hope is that we take advantage of the lessons and momentum of social capital we’ve experienced and now incorporate them into our personal, institutional and social work,” says Marta Navarro, Head of Programs at United Way España.
Social capital is the essential connective tissue that makes people and communities more prosperous, healthier, safer and better connected to society as a whole.
United Way turns 5 years old joining forces in Spain, and we want to invite you to be part of our way of driving social change.
JOIN US!
#LiveUnited
#UniendoFuerzas