Volume-XI, Issue-IV, July 2025 |
Capital Building at the Grassroots Institutions: A Self-Help Group Approach Prof. (Dr.) Soma Bhowmick, Vice Chancellor, William Carey University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India Mr. Honreiso VS, Research Scholar, Dept. of Social Work, William Carey University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India |
Received: 19.07.2025 | Accepted: 21.07.2025 | Published Online: 31.07.2025 | Page No: | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.04W.113 |
ABSTRACT | ||
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are a powerful agent in transforming the capital of rural grassroots institutions. However, the role of SHGs in fostering the formation of comprehensive forms of capital remains unsynthesized. This review of literature aims to synthesise the seven forms of capital presented in the community capital framework. The findings reveal that SHGs serve as an important platform for converting the capital of rural grassroots institutions. Regular savings and credit among the SHGs build financial capital; training and collaborative action improve human capital; trust and network create social capital; conservation of natural resources, watershed management, and water reservoir quality through collaborative action build natural capital; preserving indigenous knowledge and practices, social inclusion, raising awareness of their rights, and shifting gender roles promote cultural capital, active participation in governance, village meetings, and community matters enhance their political capital. The literature review concludes that SHGs are a powerful platform for forming and converting capitals of the rural grassroots institutions. To maximise the impact of SHGs in forming and converting capitals of rural grassroots institutions, the implementing agencies should prioritise their focus on the integrated development of all seven capitals (Financial or economic, human, social, cultural, natural, built, and political capital) presented in the community capitals framework. Keywords: SHGs, Financial capital, human capital, social capital, cultural capital, natural capital, built capital, political capital, capital building, grassroots institutions |