Nongovernmental Sector and Social Capital in Transition

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Non-governmental Sector and Social Capital in
Transition

• Rasma Rozenberga
• Central European University

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The questions explored in this study

• How does social capital develop in relation to
  past experiences and according associations of
  people with formal and informal networks?
• How well do NGOs serve as representatives of
  peoples interests and as a social capital
  indicator in the transition context?

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Transition context

• Rapidly developed NGO sector, largely by the
  support of international donors
• New form of interest representation
• Challenges for further sustainable development,
  gradually developing tradition of local
  philanthropy
• Many successful developments / still problems
  with public trust and participation

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Some illustrations from Latvia

• Approximately 20 of population involved in NGOs
• In serious problem situation and need for help,
  only 1-2 of people would turn to NGOs, whereas
  7-20 would approach different kinds of
  government institutions
• Generally, NGOs are perceived as distant from
  people and a place where people meet friends,
  develop their skills and serve their own
  interests
• (Data from the studies of Gaugere Austers 2005
  and Baltic Institute of Social Sciences 2005)

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Explanation (I) Past experiences

• Debate did socialism destroy social capital or
  just left consequences on its formalization?
• Resistance to collectivism (Rose Haerpfer
  1994), problems with institutional performance
  (Aberg 2000) or associations with forced
  participation during the socialist regime?
• Lack of confidence in ones own and community
  efforts (Gaugere 2005, Baltic Institute of Social
  Sciences 2005) learned helplessness?

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Explanation (II) Representativeness

• Financial dependence, according adjustment to the
  priorities of donors and disconnection from grass
  roots (Gaugere 2005, Fagan 2005, Mahoney 2004,
  Cox Vass 2000 etc.)
• Number of NGOs growing, however, tendency for
  those who are active to become more active,
  whereas those with lower income and socially
  disadvantaged regions tend not to cooperate
  Gaugere (2005)

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International donors
National governments
Supporting or selecting interests?
NGOs
General society
Or small part of active members?
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Benefits of formalization

• Those who participate in groups tend to have more
  general trust (Gaugere Austers 2005)
• More measurable civil society
• Practical advantages for the groups (state and
  private support, cooperation with other
  communities etc.
• Question should it apply solely to NGOs?

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Policy solutions?

• Public awareness rising through dissemination of
  success stories rather than political discourse
• Awareness of the problem of trust, rational
  balancing between support for NGOs and other
  types of organizations (including local
  governments), promotion of cooperation where
  possible
• Broader interpretation of civil groups and more
  support for existing social capital

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Your questions and comments are welcome now