Building social capital in priority neighbourhoods is one of the key strategies to build strong and vibrant neighbourhoods. A place-based approach to community development encourages a shift in orientation towards "assets" and "opportunities" for sustained residents and stakeholders engagement, leading to increase in physical and social assets in priority neighbourhoods.
To build social capital in priority neighbourhoods in support of the Strong Neighbourhoods goal, United Way and partner agencies engaged key stakeholders and volunteers to establish Ottawa Neighbourhoods Social Capital Forum (ONSCF).
The purposes and roles of the ONSCF are:
- To build and share understanding of how social capital / community development leads to community improvement
- To support the capacity of local initiatives, including leveraging resources; and
- To serve as a forum for evidence based learning and practice on social capital development / community development.
The following areas have been prioritized by the service delivery agencies and other stakeholders to work with residents in developing and implementing residents-led initiatives and increasing physical and social assets: Rural western Ottawa, Lowertown, Sandy Hill, and the Pinecrest-Queensway area.
The ONSCF has developed a suite of tools to monitor and evaluate the community development work in priority neighbourhoods funded by United Way and others who wish to use these tools.
The ONSCF, including the neighbourhood initiatives, is currently funded by United Way Ottawa.
This site is a primary vehicle of the ONSCF to share knowledge, raises awareness about building social capital and its role in making place-based approach to community development more effective. Lessons learned and progress updates from priority neighbourhoods are regularly shared.