Community Capitals Framework: The importance of inclusion Cornelia Butler Flora Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Agriculture and Life Sciences Iowa State University Jan L. Flora Professor and Extension Sociologist Iowa State University Ames, Iowa

Capital Resources invested to create new resources over a long time horizon

Political Capital Cultural Capital Natural Capital Human Capital Financial Capital Social Capital Built Capital Economic Security Social Well-Being Healthy Ecosystem

Market State Civil Society

Natural Capital Air quality, wind and sun Water Soil and minerals Biodiversity Landscape Temperature Extreme events Natural capital provides possibilities and limits to human action. It influences and is influenced by human actions.

Sustainable, healthy ecosystems with multiple community benefits Human communities plan and act in concert with natural systems Place (context) matters and access should be available to all Those with alternative uses of the ecosystem seek common ground

Cultural Capital Cosmovisión Ways of knowing Food and language Ways of knowing and being Definition of what can be changed Cultural capital determines how we see the world, what we take for granted, what we value, and what things we think possible to change. Hegemony allows one social group to impose its symbols and reward system on other groups.

Cultural Capital Cultural differences in meanings and use of all the capitals are recognized and valued Ancestral knowledge and language are maintained Communities are willing to take the time to understand and build on different ways of knowing and doing.

Human Capital Education, including distance Skills Health Self-esteem, Self-efficacy The characteristics and potentials of individuals that are determined by the intersection of nature (genetics) and nurture (social interactions and the environment)

Goal: Increased use of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of local people Identify the motivations and abilities of each individual & group to improve the community Increase the skills and health of individuals Recombine the skills and abilities of youth, families and community leaders

Social Capital Bonding –Tight, exclusive networks –Strong distinction between insiders and outsiders –Single answer focus Bridging –Open and flexible networks –Permeable and open boundaries –Legitimization of alternatives

Dimensions of Social Capital: Implications for schools Bridging + - Bonding - + Clientalism Outsiders set the agenda for schools and English Learners Progressive Participation Communities, schools and families act together to set the agenda for positive learning Extreme individualism Rich solve problems through financial capital and private schools. Poor have few options Strong Boundaries Communities ignore the well-being of youth and families and underinvest in schools. Often groups within the community don’t trust each other and do not cooperate

Social Capital mutual trust reciprocity groups collective identity sense of shared future working together Interactions among individuals that occur with a degree of frequency and comfort. Bonding social capital consists of interactions within a specific group and bridging social capital consists of interactions among social groups.

Goal: Improved community initiative, responsibility, and adaptability Shared vision Building first on internal resources Looking for alternative ways to respond to constant changes Strong families as a basis for community participation

PoliticAL Capital Organization Connections Voice Power Political capital is the ability of a group to influence standards, regulations and enforcement of those regulations that determine the distribution of resources and the ways they are used.

Political Capital: Increased voice & influence Organized groups work together to improve the community for all residents People with disabilities feel comfortable around powerful people. Powerful people feel comfortable around people with disabilities Concern for access to all the capitals are part of the agenda in the regulation and distribution of resources.

Financial Capital Saving Income generation Earning for businesses Payment for environmental services Loans and credit Investments Taxes Tax exemptions User fees Gifts/philanthropy Forms of currency used to increase capacity. Financial capital is often privileged because it is easy to measure, and there is a tendency to put other capitals into financial capital terms.

Appropriately diverse and healthy economies reduced poverty increased firm efficiency increased firm diversity increased assets of local people.

Built capital Recreation centers Roads, bridges and trails Community stores School cafeterias Day care centers Play grounds Sidewalks Kitchen incubators Wind farms Human-constructed infrastructure that contributes to the other community capitals

BUILT CAPITAL Physical infrastructure that enhances natural capital because –It serves people with disabilities –People with disabilities can contribute to its local maintenance and improvement –It links local people together equitably –It links local people, institutions and businesses to the outside

Political Capital Cultural Capital Natural Capital Human Capital Financial Capital Social Capital Built Capital Economic Security Social Well-Being Healthy Ecosystem