Participatory Interventions and Development of Social Capital: Evidence from Punjab Rural Support Programme

Abstract

The admiration towards sustainable development and improved quality of life has been the critical subject matter since the beginning of the Anthropocene. The interconnections of individual and collective relationships regarding humanity and the environment are closely associated with affluent human development at individual, group, and community levels. In recent decades, numerous advancements that characterized improvement in quality of life, considered the reflection of exceptional actions and self-realization numerous national and international organizations intervening mainly in rural areas of Pakistan for mobilization of rural community to work for their betterment through participatory approach. This exploratory study tries to understand the development of social capital through these participatory interventions adopted by the Punjab Rural Support Program (PRSP). PRSP has awareness interventions in 22 districts of Punjab province. From these districts, five were selected randomly for this study. Then, one field unit from each selected district was chosen, and 50 respondents were taken through a convenient sampling technique. Therefore, the total sample size for the study was 250. The results of the study revealed that the participatory approach applied by PRSP brought some positive changes in the thinking behavior of the rural communities, which led to developing the social capital. The Government institutions should encourage the participatory approach and also review its policies.