Investigating the effect of creating empowerment funds on the social capital of local communities Case study: Villages of Ahmadi section of Hajiabad

Authors

• mohamad ghasemi ¹
• behrooz badkoo ²
• ali ranjbaraki ¹
• Ahmad shakiba ¹
• hamed shambayati ³

¹ Faculty member of Jihad Daneshghahi , Human science and social study research center

² Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Tourism Planning, Tourism Faculty, Science and Culture University

³ jahaddaneshgahi

10.30495/jzpm.2022.28359.3929

Abstract

Social capital is one of the basic elements and basic preconditions for economic, social, cultural and political development of any society. Strengthening social capital is one of the ways to promote sustainable rural development, so that social capital in the form of local organizations can reduce poverty and increase the welfare of society and strengthening social capital leads to participation and communication with other people. This, in turn, plays an important role in improving the quality of life and sustainable rural development. In this research, the paradigm of positivism has been used. The research method is descriptive-analytical indicators and the data collection tools of this research include field studies and the use of a questionnaire. The target population is 2549 members of the Ahmadi Ward Empowerment Fund in 30 target villages. This study was conducted in two time periods (before the establishment and operation of the funds (June 2019) and after the activities of the funds (June and July 2020)). A review of descriptive findings indicates that women, youth and literate people have been more involved in the establishment of empowerment funds. The results showed that the establishment of funds has been effective in increasing social capital indicators and has been able to strengthen social capital and Lead rural development. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between the components of social trust and social capital with a correlation coefficient of 0.456% and between the components of social participation with social capital with a correlation coefficient of 0.421% and increasing these two components of social capital Is to strengthen social cohesion and lead to rural development.

Keywords

• "empowerment"
• "village"
• "microcredit fund"
• "social capital"
• "Ahmadi section"

---