JAMISON MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT HC 68, Box 79-S, Gila Hot Springs, Silver City, New Mexico 575-536-9339
[email protected] OUTLINE OF COMMUNITY CAPITALS In their essay, “Generating Community Change,” Cornelia and Jan Flora (2008) developed the Community Capitals Framework as an approach to analyze how communities work. Based on their research to uncover characteristics of entrepreneurial and sustainable communities, they found that the communities most successful in supporting healthy sustainable community and economic development paid attention to all seven types of capital: natural, cultural, human, social, political, financial, and built. In addition to identifying the capitals and the role each plays in community economic development, this approach also focuses on the interaction among these seven capitals as well as how investments in one capital can build assets in others. Community Capitals are intrinsic attributes of the community. They are referred to as “capitals” because investing them to achieve self-determined goals and objectives yields greater returns in quality of community life. Community development requires commitment, conviction, courage, and humility. Even though outside consultants may be involved in the process, the people must be in control and the projects derived from local resources and initiatives. The ultimate authority is the community and the ultimate sustainability comes from the community’s investment in its capitals. No matter what may be constructed or accomplished, if it is not done in response to self-identified needs, if it is not community-based and culturally-relevant, then lasting change is illusive. Skilled leadership, transparency, community involvement, and effective political structures develop community capitals into citizen tools for supporting self-determination and sustainability.