ABSTRACT
Which factors are driving both the success and failure of community-supported enterprises? Why are some initiatives more successful than others? We attempt to answer such questions using the Community Capital Framework (CCF). This study integrates practical experience with theoretical analysis at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences of years working with engaged volunteer citizens in Germany and the Netherlands. Methodologically, we build on action research and semi-structured group interviews to identify correlations between the community capitals and explain why it’s the “soft” or core capitals (social, cultural, and human) that determine the sustainable success of community efforts and not the “hard” capitals (financial, built, and political). Although we attempt to generalize our findings, we need to be aware of our specific regional and cultural context in terms of external validity, meaning that the results might not necessarily translate 1:1 to other regions around the world.
