Leveraging Social Capital through Youth Groups in Northern Uganda: Lessons for Enhancing Inclusivity by Social and Solidarity Economy Organizations

Authors

  • Naphtal Barasa Etyang National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.
  • Jonathan white National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.
  • Yewoub Gedion National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.
  • Africano Kasingye National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

Keywords:

Social capital, inclusivity, Solidarity groups, agricultural productivity

Abstract

Abstract

After two decades of civil conflict in Northern Uganda, Ugandans are now returning to their communities to reestablish their livelihoods. Most youth don’t have skills to venture into Agriculture. The objective of the study was to establish the role social capital played in the success of agricultural enterprises run by youth. This study was anchored on Collective action theory by Mancur Olson 1965. Research was carried out in four project districts. In each district, two Focus Group Discussions were held with sampled youth from the program beneficiaries; each focused group discussion was comprised of five female and five male youth. Also four Key Informant Interviews, one per district were held. 415 youth from the project beneficiaries were sampled out through simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Cleaned data was coded and analyzed with the help of a computer package ATLAS. Findings from these studies were triangulated with program reports and staff reflection and experiences. The research established that through social capital there were improved peer to peer networks and relationships, it became easier for youth to access training and resources, Market accessibility became easier, there was access to cheap labor, social capital increased democratic voice, women and girls became empowered. This study is important because youth are deemed to be a marginalized and largest population cohort in developing nations.

Author Biographies

Naphtal Barasa Etyang, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation. Email address: barasaetty@yahoo.com 

Jonathan white, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

Yewoub Gedion, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

Africano Kasingye, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International with funding from MasterCard Foundation.

Downloads

Published

2021-12-31

How to Cite

Etyang, N. B., white, J., Gedion, Y., & Kasingye, A. (2021). Leveraging Social Capital through Youth Groups in Northern Uganda: Lessons for Enhancing Inclusivity by Social and Solidarity Economy Organizations. Journal of Social Sciences, Business and Technology (JSSBT), 2(2), 11–16. Retrieved from https://journals.cuk.ac.ke/index.php/JSSBT/article/view/66