Section Five: Social Capital Resource Zone

Social Capital Studies Conducted by the CIIF

Evaluation Studies conducted by the CIIF

The First and Second CIIF Evaluation Studies
In 2004-2006 and 2010-2012, several universities in Hong Kong were commissioned to conduct two independent evaluation studies on the overall effectiveness of the CIIF-funded projects in social capital development.

Click here to download the evaluation reports.

Social Capital Studies on Individual the CIIF-Funded Projects Carried out by Tertiary Institutions

The CIIF attaches great importance to the consolidation of experience in the implementation of projects. Therefore, in addition to evaluating the overall development of social capital, the CIIF encourages grantees to work with tertiary institutions to conduct research with a view to consolidating the intervention models and strategies used, the best practices of cross-sectoral collaboration, and the experience in using networking strategies/tools. When submitting proposals, grantees can, at the same time, apply for funding from the CIIF to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy in building social capital.

Studies funded by the CIIF:

The CIIF-Funded Projects and Project Implementation Organisations (Project Numbers)	Participating Tertiary Institutes and Scholars	Year of Completion
Blue Sky Project - Buddhist Chi Kwong Kindergarten, International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (0009-15)	Dr. TING Wai Fong, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University	2014
SMARTCare Movement - Building Social Capitals for Supporting Carers of Chronic Patients - The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation (0008-17)	Dr. Teresa Mei-Lee CHIU, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University	2014
Family Networks at Community – Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong (0038-17)	Professor WONG Yu Cheung, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong	2015
Neighbourhood Caring Partnership Project - Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association, Hong Kong Housing Society, Hong Kong Kwun Lung Lau Residents’ Association, Yue Kwong Chuen Mutual Aid Committee (0016-18)	Professor CHAN Cheung-ming, Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University	2015
"Caring Estates" in Southern District: Building safe and friendly community networking at Lei Tung Estate - Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association, Hong Kong Southern District Women's Association Ltd, Incorporated Owners' of Lei Tung Estate (0017-18)	Professor CHAN Cheung-ming, Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University	2015
Dancing Life-Youth Empowerment Project - Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (0003-19)	Professor CHAN Cheung-ming, Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University	2016
“DR. Youth” - Social Capital Project Nurturing New Arrival Youth & Social Integration through Business & Professional Sectors, Residents, Schools & Community - Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre (0020-19)	Dr Kee Chi-hing, Chair of Fullness Social Enterprises Society and an Adjunct Professor of the School of Business, Hong Kong Baptist University	2016
Leung King Friendly Network - Pok Oi Hospital (0021-20)	Professor CHAN Cheung-ming, Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University (Until April 2016) Professor Joshua MOK Ka-ho, Vice-President and Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University (Since April 2016)	2016
"SMARTCare Movement - Caring Community for Carers" - The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation (0018-22)	Dr. Teresa Mei-Lee CHIU, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University	2017
Talents Across Ages - Pak Kau College, Chiu Yang Por Yen Primary School (0014-26)	Dr. Lubanski LAM, Associate Head and Assistant Professor; Dr. LAW Chui Chui, Monica, Associate Head and Assistant Professor; Dr. Mark NG, Associate Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration, Hong Kong Shue Yan University	2020

Social Capital Studies Conducted by the CIIF Secretariat

On-going Studies

Research Project	Research Brief
Research on the effectiveness of social capital development of the CIIF-funded projects (Since 2013)	For an effective assessment of the social capital outcomes achieved by its projects, the CIIF devised a “Social Capital Scale” applicable to the CIIF-funded projects at end-2012. After validation of the Scale, direct participants and volunteers of the CIIF-funded projects have been invited since July 2013 to fill in the “Social Capital Scale” at least twice during the funding period. As at 31 December 2023, the CIIF received 48,694 questionnaires returned by 275 project teams. The CIIF Secretariat will prepare at least one report on the “effectiveness of the project in social capital development” for each the CIIF-funded project, so that the CIIF and the project team will have a better understanding of the effectiveness of the project in assisting its direct participants and volunteers to develop social capital.
Survey on the Sustainable Development of Social Capital of the CIIF-funded projects (6 to 18 months after the funding period) (Since 2013)	To assess in a more systematic manner whether the funded projects could sustain the social capital built after the funding period, the CIIF devised a Questionnaire on "Sustainable Development of Social Capital” in June 2013. Since July 2013, the CIIF has issued the questionnaire to project teams of completed projects in order to have a better understanding of the sustainable development of their projects six months and 18 months after the funding period. As at 31 December 2023, the CIIF invited staff members and volunteers or direct participants of 237 project teams of completed projects to take part in the survey. Among these 237 project teams, 213 took part in the survey for the second time. 226 out of 237 project teams returned the completed questionnaires (return rate: 95.4%), in which 225 projects (over 90%) were still operating after the funding period in different ways, including deployment of internal resources of respective organisations, receiving continuous support from local stakeholders/ key collaborators or self-management by participants.

Research Project

Research Brief

Research on the effectiveness of social capital development of the CIIF-funded projects (Since 2013)

For an effective assessment of the social capital outcomes achieved by its projects, the CIIF devised a “Social Capital Scale” applicable to the CIIF-funded projects at end-2012. After validation of the Scale, direct participants and volunteers of the CIIF-funded projects have been invited since July 2013 to fill in the “Social Capital Scale” at least twice during the funding period. As at 31 December 2023, the CIIF received 48,694 questionnaires returned by 275 project teams. The CIIF Secretariat will prepare at least one report on the “effectiveness of the project in social capital development” for each the CIIF-funded project, so that the CIIF and the project team will have a better understanding of the effectiveness of the project in assisting its direct participants and volunteers to develop social capital.

Survey on the Sustainable Development of Social Capital of the CIIF-funded projects (6 to 18 months after the funding period) (Since 2013)

To assess in a more systematic manner whether the funded projects could sustain the social capital built after the funding period, the CIIF devised a Questionnaire on "Sustainable Development of Social Capital” in June 2013. Since July 2013, the CIIF has issued the questionnaire to project teams of completed projects in order to have a better understanding of the sustainable development of their projects six months and 18 months after the funding period.

As at 31 December 2023, the CIIF invited staff members and volunteers or direct participants of 237 project teams of completed projects to take part in the survey. Among these 237 project teams, 213 took part in the survey for the second time. 226 out of 237 project teams returned the completed questionnaires (return rate: 95.4%), in which 225 projects (over 90%) were still operating after the funding period in different ways, including deployment of internal resources of respective organisations, receiving continuous support from local stakeholders/ key collaborators or self-management by participants.

Thematic Studies

Research Project	Research Brief
Development of “Social Capital Scale” (2012-2013)	For an effective assessment of the social capital outcomes achieved by its projects, the CIIF devised a “Social Capital Scale” applicable to the CIIF-funded projects in end-2012 by making reference to the World Bank’s definition of social capital, the tools used in the second CIIF evaluation study, and the implementation experience of funded projects.
Development of Questionnaire on "Sustainable Development of Social Capital” (2012-2013)	To assess more systematically whether the funded projects could sustain the social capital built after the funding period, the CIIF devised a Questionnaire on "Sustainable Development of Social Capital” in June 2013 by making reference to the tools used by the research team and the stakeholders' views of six funded projects.
Research on the Effectiveness of Social Capital Development of House Captain Model Projects (2012)	During the tenth anniversary of the CIIF, the CIIF Secretariat launched the "House Captain Campaign" to enhance the community’s understanding of the functions of House Captains and accord recognition to House Captains who had contributed to the society. At the same time, the CIIF Secretariat conducted an evidence-based study on the House Captain model. The study concluded that communities in which the House Captain model projects were implemented were more harmonious.
Research on the Effectiveness of Social Capital Development of "Community-Welfare-Medical” Collaboration Model Projects (2014)	Research areas included the social capital development outcomes of the projects, the relationship between project participation and improvement of respondents’ health, and the Social Return on Investment of the projects. Research areas included the social capital development outcomes of the projects, the relationship between project participation and improvement of respondents’ health, and the Social Return on Investment of the projects. Research results: Participants and volunteers of the projects performed well in all social capital dimensions. The scores of respondents in all dimensions were 5 or more out of 10. "Trust and solidarity", "social cohesion and inclusion", and "information and communication" were the three dimensions with the highest scores. According to the results of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), the more frequent the respondents participated in the projects and the longer the time they became members of the projects, the higher the average scores in physical and mental health status they got. In particular, the average mental health score (52.3 points) of respondents who participated in the projects for two years or more was higher than the average score (50.3 points) of the overall mental health status of Hong Kong people as published in the Population Health Survey 2003/2004 conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Community Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. It reflected that the projects succeeded in improving the physical and mental health status of the respondents. The ratio of Social Return on Investment of the "Community-Welfare-Medical" collaboration model projects was 1:4.3. That means, HK$1 in public funds spent on the projects would bring a return value of HK$4.3 to the society, of which HK$1.5 benefitted the society as a whole, whereas HK$2.8 benefitted the direct participants of the projects.
Development of Social Capital Development Assessment Tool (For Corporates or Organisations) (2015-2016)	Since the establishment of the CIIF in 2002, one of its objectives is to integrate people from different social strata, sectors or groups, leading to a more caring and harmonious society. For an effective assessment of the effectiveness in social capital development among “Corporates or Organisations”, the CIIF designed a Social Capital Development Assessment Tool with reference to the characteristics of social capital development in various sectors. The assessment covered six core social capital dimensions, and each dimension contains four development stages. Since 2016, this assessment has been used as the assessment criteria for the Social Capital Builder (SCB) Awards. The Awards provide an opportunity for various sectors of the community to witness and share the achievements in building social capital in Hong Kong.
Effectiveness Study on the Overall Social Capital Development among the CIIF-Funded Projects from 2013 to 2016 (2016)	The CIIF has invited the direct participants and volunteers of the funded projects to fill in the "Social Capital Scale" developed by the CIIF before, during and after the implementation of the projects to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects in social capital development. In 2016, the CIIF conducted the first large-scale data analysis every three years to gain a better understanding of the overall performance of the CIIF-funded projects in social capital development. The study covered six core social capital dimensions, including “Social Networks”, “Mutual-help and Reciprocity”, “Trust and Solidarity”, “Social Cohesion and Inclusion”, “Social Participation” and “Information and Communication”. Study results: On the whole, the overall social capital score of respondents increased from 33.049 points (out of a total of 50) before participating in the projects to 35.056 points (an increase of 6.07%) after participating in the projects, with a statistically significant difference. Compared with before participating in the projects, the respondents would seek help from more different channels when facing difficulties/ problems after participating in the projects. They would mostly seek help from “non-governmental organisations (NGOs)” (14.6%) and “government departments” (13.5%). It reflected that social capital projects could complement formal social services and facilitate those in need to seek help from appropriate service agencies. There was a positive relationship between improvement in "all social capital dimensions" and "overall social capital" achieved by respondents after participating in the projects and their resilience (i.e. "successfully solved difficulties/problems through different networks"). It verified that the CIIF-funded projects could enhance respondents’ resilience by assisting them to develop social capital. Among the respondents who participated in the CIIF-funded projects for one year or more, 43.8% transformed from direct participants into volunteers who participated in at least one voluntary service in the projects. It reflected that the projects facilitated the transformation of role of respondents from service recipients to services providers, with an improvement in their personal abilities. The respondents even played a dominant role in the projects, such as co-ordinating voluntary services of the projects and assisting in the establishment and operation of self-support groups.
Analysis of the status of social capital development among the CIIF-funded projects in different districts (2017)	For an effective assessment of the social capital outcomes achieved by its projects, the CIIF devised a “Social Capital Scale” applicable to the CIIF-funded projects at end-2012 for assessment by the projects, so as to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of the projects in enhancing the social capital of direct participants and volunteers. The analysis covered the social capital development of the CIIF-funded projects in various districts from July 2013 to December 2017. Analysis results: For respondents of 96 projects, their scores in various social capital dimensions and overall social capital increased after participating in the projects. For respondents from Islands, Kowloon City, Sha Tin and Ma On Shan, and North Districts, their social capital scores were relatively higher than that of the respondents from other districts upon the completion of the projects. For respondents from Eastern and Tai Po Districts, their social capital scores were relatively lower than that of the respondents from other districts in mid-term and upon the completion of the projects.
Establishment of Social Capital Development Stages (For Social Service Agencies) (2018)	Since the establishment of the CIIF in 2002, one of its objectives is to integrate people from different social strata, sectors or groups, leading to a more caring and harmonious society. For an effective assessment of the effectiveness in social capital development among “Social Service Agencies”, the CIIF designed a Social Capital Development Assessment Tool with reference to the characteristics of social capital development in various sectors. The assessment covered six core social capital dimensions, and each dimension contains four development stages. Since 2018, this assessment has been used as the assessment criteria for the Social Capital Builder (SCB) Awards. The Awards provide an opportunity for various sectors of the community to witness and share the achievements in building social capital in Hong Kong.
Study on the model of the Community Support Programme for New Public Rental Housing Estates (2018-2019)	The Chief Executive stated in the 2018 Policy Address that with a view to ensuring adequate and appropriate services were provided during the resident intakes of the new PRHs so as to facilitate the new residents to build mutual help network, the Government would regularise the community support programme for new PRHs. The Government would plan for the community network building projects in a proactive matter and provide funding, so as to assist residents and families to adapt in the new community as soon as possible. Under this new initiative, the government has regularised the community support programme for new PRHs through the CIIF starting from April 2019, so as to assist residents and families to adapt in the new community as soon as possible. By consolidating the experience of the funding projects in assisting residents of the new communities to establish mutual-help networks in recent years, the CIIF developed the “Model of the Community Support Programme for New Public Rental Housing Estates”. From the perspective of social capital development, the model explained how to make good use of the existing local capital or advantages in the new communities at different stages of development. Through collaboration with various government departments and cross-sectoral stakeholders, the model helped residents of the new housing estates establish a more comprehensive support network in the community. The study results had been incorporated into the "Application Guidelines for the Community Support Programme for New Public Rental Housing Estates" for reference by the applicants.
Effectiveness Study on the Overall Social Capital Development among the CIIF-Funded Projects from 2016 to 2019 (2019)	The CIIF has invited the direct participants and volunteers of the funded projects to fill in the "Social Capital Scale" developed by the CIIF before, during and after the implementation of the projects to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects in social capital development. In 2019, the CIIF conducted the second large-scale data analysis to gain a better understanding of the overall performance of the CIIF-funded projects in social capital development. The study covered six core social capital dimensions, including “Social Networks”, “Mutual-help and Reciprocity”, “Trust and Solidarity”, “Social Cohesion and Inclusion”, “Social Participation” and “Information and Communication”. Study results: The CIIF-funded projects could effectively enhance the respondents’ overall social capital (an increase of 9.9%) and all social capital dimensions; The overall social capital score of the pre-test and post-test analysis conducted in 2019 was lower than that of the analysis conducted in 2016, but the improvement rate of the pre-test and post-test in 2019 was higher than that in 2016. For projects related to "Community Capacity Building", "Social Integration" and "Cross-Generational Integration", they were relatively more effective in enhancing respondents’ social capital development; The CIIF-funded projects assisted respondents to develop their formal and informal social support networks in an effective manner, and enhanced their "resilience"; and By joining the projects, participants enhanced their sense of belonging to the new community.
Social Capital Development and Resilience in Adverse Circumstances (2020)	The study aimed at analysing the impact of "adversity" on social capital development of the CIIF-funded projects in a systematic manner. It also compared the results against that of the second large-scale data analysis conducted in 2019. It covered six core social capital dimensions, including “Social Networks”, “Mutual-help and Reciprocity”, “Trust and Solidarity”, “Social Cohesion and Inclusion”, “Social Participation” and “Information and Communication”. Study results: Under the influence of "social events and the epidemic", for respondents who participated in the whole implementation period of the CIIF-funded projects, their overall social capital and various social capital dimensions maintained an improvement, and the improvement was more significant than that achieved in 2019; For respondents who went through half of the implementation period of the CIIF-funded projects, their overall social capital scores increased, but the rate of increase (5.2%) was lower than that in 2019 (7.2%). Among the six social capital dimensions, "Social Networks”, “Mutual-help and Reciprocity ", " Trust and Solidarity " and "Social Cohesion and Inclusion" showed the above findings; and "Social incidents and the epidemic" made no impact on the respondents' development in "Social Participation" and "Information and Communication", and the development was even better than that in 2019.
Effectiveness Study on the Overall Social Capital Development among the CIIF-Funded Projects from 2019 to 2022 (2022)	To evaluate the effectiveness of the projects in social capital development, the CIIF has invited the direct participants and volunteers of the funded projects to fill in the "Social Capital Scale" developed by the CIIF at least twice during the project implementation period. In 2022, the CIIF conducted the third large-scale data analysis to gain a better understanding of the overall performance of the CIIF-funded projects in social capital development. With reference to the past two large-scale data analyses, this study continues to cover six core social capital dimensions, including “Social Networks”, “Mutual-help and Reciprocity”, “Trust and Solidarity”, “Social Cohesion and Inclusion”, “Social Participation” and “Information and Communication”. Study results: The overall social capital in participants of the CIIF-funded projects had been apparently enhanced (an increase of 9.2%), with relatively significant increases in the dimensions of "Social Networks, Mutual-help and Reciprocity", "Social Participation" and "Information and Communication"; In comparison with the second large-scale data analysis, this study found a significant improvement in "Trust and Solidarity", implying that the CIIF-funded projects could effectively strengthen the trust and solidarity among direct participants and volunteers; When comparing projects of different categories, the overall social capital scores for all participants has increased, which was statistically significant. In particular, projects focused on "cross-generational integration", "family and child development" and "elderly support and empowerment" were especially effective in developing participants' social capital; Taking part in the CIIF-funded projects had effectively developed participants' formal and informal social networks and built up their resilience and sense of belonging to the community.

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