Community Capitals Framework

The Kansas Community Empowerment program, from the assessment pairings through Kansas State Research and Extension, to the awards system, is based on the Community Capitals Framework, which encourages communities to identify their assets, and work to invest in those areas for positive community impact.

 

Viewing your community through an assets based lens is a great way to start a conversation on how to identify what capitals currently exist in your community, and what opportunities there are to build upon (or leverage) those capitals, or explore what capital areas your community may wish to develop in your community. The Community Capitals Asset Assessment Tool is a great opportunity to map your community assets and start positive conversations about capital to build upon, or develop, in your community.

A great way to use this tool, and encourage youth involvement, is to apply the Youth Community Perceptions Community Capitals Learning Tool. The tool helps to tease out specific Capitals for identification and reflection. If you are interested in getting youth involved in your community improvement efforts, the Youth Community Perceptions program is an evidence based curriculum that can be utilized by youth civic organizations, or through the local school system.