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Project Conclusion

Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool - Project Conclusion

Policy Research Initiative
Pricy Council of the Government of Canada

Presentation

The PRI has recently released the final publications from its social capital project. What is social capital? Who benefits – and who does not? Is there a role for government? How can we measure it? Examining the potential of the concept of social capital to inform policy development and evaluation, the publications offer a clear framework for the analysis of the concept, identify policy and program areas where social capital makes a difference, and offer a strategic set of recommendations for testing new approaches, improved measurement, and policy action.

Key messages

• Individuals and groups can sometimes obtain needed resources and support from their network of social ties. These networks constitute their social capital.

• Social capital may be an important but underestimated component of the well being of Canadians. In combination with other human and financial resources, social capital can significantly influence their social, economic, and political participation.

• Government policies and programs inevitably affect patterns of social capital development. Taking this into account more systematically could make a significant difference in the achievement of various policy objectives.

• Social capital has particularly important implications for three key areas of public policy: helping populations at risk of social exclusion, supporting key life-course transitions, and promoting community development.

Download documents

On the PRI's web site, the following publications are available for free download:

• Social Capital: A Tool for Public Policy. Briefing Note.
Provides a concise and accessible executive summary of the Project's findings and recommendations.

• Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool. Project Report.
Provides a detailed synthesis of the activities, findings, and recommendations.

• Social Capital in Action. Thematic Policy Studies.
Provides an investigation of the role of social capital in eight specific policy areas: poverty reduction, aging well, settlement of new immigrants, education outcomes of Aboriginal youth, youth civic engagement, community crime prevention, policing in First Nations communities, community development.

• Measurement of Social Capital. Reference Document for Public Policy Research, Development, and Evaluation.
Provides a series of indicators, measurement tools and methodological strategies, to investigate social capital in a public policy context

About the Policy Research Initiative (PRI)

The federal government requires a strong knowledge base and policy capacity to meet the increasingly complex challenges facing Canada. To respond to this need, the Policy Research Initiative conducts research in support of the Government of Canada's medium term agenda. Its core mandate is to advance research on emerging horizontal issues, and to ensure the effective transfer of acquired knowledge to policy-makers.

The PRI, while conducting independent policy research projects, is attached to the Privy Council Office through the Plans and Consultation Branch.

The PRI currently has five horizontal research projects:

• Population Aging and Life-course Flexibility
• New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion
• Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool
• North American Linkages
• Sustainable Development (Freshwater Management)

In addition to its research projects, the PRI harnesses knowledge and expertise on an ongoing basis from within the federal government, as well as from Canadian universities, private sector research institutions, and international organizations. This work is accomplished by way of conferences, workshops, and policy research roundtables on important medium-term cross-cutting issues.

Research results are shared with the federal policy community not only through a range of events, but also by means of print publications, including the periodical Horizons, as well as various project reports and discussion papers. This material is available to the public through the PRI web site.

The PRI is also mandated to identify data needs and priorities for future policy development through the Policy Research Data Group, an interdepartmental committee charged with addressing emerging data gaps linked to medium to

The Policy Research Initiative's web site

Please check the PRI's web site to learn further details on PRI's activities and publications.

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