Social Impact

Capacity of Communities

Definition

The word capacity denotes both the idea of containing (holding, storing) and the notion of ability (of mind, of action). Applied to communities, the notion implies the existence within them of particular capabilities, faculties, or powers to do certain things. These capabilities may have an impact on several aspects of community functioning, but in the context of community building are all concerned with ways to help promote or sustain the well-being of the community and its components (individuals, informal groups, organizations, social interactions, the physical environment). Community capacity defines, in a general way, communities that “work”; it is what makes well-functioning communities function well. Although at a fundamental level, the abilities that define community capacity are contained within the neighbourhood, they must also incorporate connections to and commerce with the larger systems of which it is a part.

Sources

Chaskin, R. J. (1999). Defining community capacity: A Framework and Implications from a Comprehensive Community Initiative.

Explore the Resources of this Driver

E-participation Assessment Framework

The Assessment framework for E-participation (AFeP) is aimed to support a result-oriented implementation of e-participation for democratic governance in digital society. The framework can be used as a theoretical platform for the elaboration of success criteria and success factors , for comparative assessment of e-participation initiatives, as well as for the designing and monitoring of e-participation projects. It could also serve as a tool for knowledge sharing and capacity building to enhance the effectiveness and impact of e-participation initiatives.

Reference

citizens, information, online, participation

Civic Engagement Toolkit

Through a gamified series of surveys, games, and quizzes, our toolkit educates users on what civic engagement is and how they can begin to get involved and advocate for the issues they care about to make a positive change in their community. We have three levels for users to navigate. First, there’s Level 1: Getting to Know You, where users will learn about what type of advocacy they are most comfortable with and their top issue of concern. For Level 2: Civic Engagement 101, users will learn the basics of civic engagement, including getting informed, taking action, voting, building relationships, and taking a leadership role. Finally, for Level 3: Make an Action Plan, users will put their newfound knowledge to use.

Tool

engagement

Practical Guide on E-service learning

The European Association of Service-Learning in Higher Education (EASLHE), in collaboration with Pacto de América Latina por la Educación con Calidad Humana (Palech), the European Observatory of Service-Learning in Higher Education and the National Distance Education University (UNED) have developed this Practical guide on e-Service-Learning in response to COVID-19 to support adapting Service-Learning courses to our new reality.

Methodology

course, learning, support

Jelgava – Improving Neighbourhoods

Due to cultural and historical occurrences, in some cities, the dialogue between citizens and the government has not existed for many years and is only appearing slowly in recent times. Trust in the government to take the citizens' concerns with a certain level of seriousness has been low, whereas also no direct engagement channels to co-create sustainable solutions with the citizens have existed before. The WeSolve platform has been utilised with the goal to increase the sense of community and belonging within the city of Jelgava, Latvia. Through three engagement rounds, the citizens could give their opinions in various polls and surveys about how they identify with the city, its history, and if they believe what could be done to create a community.

Case Study

engagement, platform, trust