Social Capital Institute

Over the past two decades, "social capital" has attracted significant attention worldwide, and governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across countries have identified it as a crucial policy goal and practical strategy in bringing long-term and sustainable impacts to society. In 2002, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region established the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) to promote the development of social capital in Hong Kong. In 2022, the CIIF established the "Social Capital Institute" (the SCI), marking a new milestone in social capital development in Hong Kong. The SCI created a Social Capital Knowledge Hub, which was prepared and written by the Social Work Practice and Mental Health Centre of the Department of Social Work at Hong Kong Baptist University as commissioned by the CIIF. This knowledge hub systematically compiles and consolidates research and practical experience of social capital development to enhance the understanding of the concept and its latest developments among interested individuals and organisations.

The Social Capital Knowledge Hub comprises five sections. Section One, "Introduction to Social Capital Theory", comprehensively introduces the background, definitions, main theories, scope, categories, and key factors and outcomes of social capital development. Section Two, "How to Practice Social Capital", is specifically designed for individuals and project teams interested in practicing social capital development, providing detailed information on related practical knowledge and intervention strategies with the aim to assist them in planning and formulating social capital development projects. Section Three is "Measurement and Evaluation of Social Capital". Given that social capital is a complex and multidimensional concept, this section briefly introduces various research methods, including traditional and innovative research tools, enabling project teams to adopt the most appropriate methods to evaluate project outcomes effectively. Particularly, innovative research methods could be used to invite community members or project volunteers to participate in the project assessment and evaluation process, which further enhances their participation level in the neighbourhood. Section Four, "Social Capital and Special Topics", discusses the latest developments in specific social capital topics such as gender issues, health topics, community, and digital social capital, which helps the public gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of social capital. Finally, Section Five, "Social Capital Resource Zone", includes the CIIF evaluation research, social capital research conducted by local universities, and related research and reports from the Mainland and overseas.