Social capital, the third sector, and local development: which link is missing? (original) (raw)

daniel.melo@isc.ul.pt Renato Miguel do Carmo (CIES-ISCTE, Portugal) renato.carmo@iscte.pt Social capital, the third sector, and local development: which link is missing? Abstract: This working paper will focus on the relationship involving social capital, the third sector and the local development interventions that are being developed in the context of European Union regional policies, through the analysis of the case-study of Portugal. First, it introduces a theoretical approach concerning these three concepts, by using the most recent conceptual perspectives in specialized literature. Second, it presents a brief historical study of the evolution of the voluntary associations and its relationship with public institutions and agencies. This framework will give special emphasis to the impact of some regional and local programs and its consequences in the national territory. Finally, we will propose a multi-scalar model indispensable for the interpretation and articulation of these three dimensions.