Tracking outcomes of social capital and institutional innovations in natural resources management: methodological issues and empirical evidence from participatory bylaw reform in Uganda

Abstract

In this article we use empirical evidence from a tracking study to investigate the outcomes and potential impacts of a 5-year participatory learning and action research project that aimed at strengthening the capacity of local communities to formulate and implement bylaws for sustainable natural resource management (NRM). Results, based on participatory self-reflective practices, revealed changes in seven key outcome areas: awareness and compliance with the bylaws, participation in mutually beneficial collective action, changes in gender dynamics, connectedness and networking, adoption of NRM technologies, sustainability, and potential uptake of bylaws. We found that the main outcome of increased social capital is generally the production of more social capital. Results suggest that, with appropriate catalysis, social capital can be not only productive, but also persistent and robust over time. The study also illuminates certain negative outcomes of social capital and the challenges in dealing with social exclusion and inequity