Social capital can be explained as the “vibrancy of social networks and the extent to which individuals and communities trust and rely upon one another”. These connections act as the glue between communities and people and support the development of places where we feel welcome and safe. Strengthened relationships lead to better collaboration and more curiosity about what our cities could be, and how to make that happen through city-building initiatives.
As we approach the end of yet another pandemic year, it’s easy to lean into feelings of fatigue. For many, our sense of connection with people and community has felt lacking, and feelings of isolation, especially leading up to the winter, are increasing. Some of the findings from the most recent Toronto Social Capital Study 2022, a snapshot into the well-being of Toronto residents from the lens of social networks, social trust, civic engagement and neighbourhood support, reflect these feelings. For example, the percentage of individuals surveyed who indicated having people they can depend on for help when needed decreased to 59% from 70% in 2018. Participation in groups, volunteerism, and donations have decreased as well. This decline in social capital can have a negative effect on city-building.
On a positive note, there’s much in the study that offers reassurance and hope — a reflection of the actions of individuals and organizations within and across communities over the last three years. We’ve seen mutual aid and CareMongering groups pop up in direct response to the isolation of COVID-19. Grassroots initiatives have formed with folks from across Canada including Vaccine Hunters, which helped thousands of Canadians access vaccines and the OnCanada Project, a volunteer-run digital media initiative catered to Millennials and Gen Z to fill the gap in official communications, initially about the pandemic, but expanded to discuss the systems and structures within which we live and work.
Now comes the hard work to rebuild and revitalize the social capital that we’ve lost. Over the past year, ELN moved its programming offline – providing opportunities for ELN members to come together and rebuild relationships within and across sectors through events such as the ELN Summer Social and Elections Viewing Parties. We also created space for meaningful city-building conversations through our Networking with a Purpose series.
As we head into a new year, our goal is to continue to provide meaningful ways for you to connect with each other, help rebuild our region’s social capital, and help create a better, more inclusive region.
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