Analysis and evaluation of social capital of micro-groups for sustainable rural development with a network analysis approach. Study area: Khorasan Razavi province, Bakharz county

The importance of sustainable rural development and its vital role in further development in evolving countries is evident today. According to experts and scholars, having appropriate capital, especially social capital through participation and social trust is the most important factor. This study aims to analyze social capital for sustainable rural development in the three villages of Shahid Beheshti, Jizabad and Moradabad in the Bakharz county of Khorasan Razavi province, in which the empowerment project of local communities has been implemented. The target population in this study consists of 96 people (55 men and 41 women) who are members of rural development micro-groups forming nine groups. In this research, the relationship between trust and participation in the stakeholder network is investigated using network analysis questionnaires and based on direct observation and interviews with all actors, as well as measuring macro-level indicators (including density, bidirectional, translocation and geodetic distance in the two phases before and after the project). It indicates the average level of trust, participation and social capital before the implementation of the local communities’ empowerment project. After the execution of the project, the level of these indicators has improved and reached the desired level. The speed of circulation and exchange of trust and participation between individuals has increased as well, and it has also improved cohesion, unity and solidarity and cooperation between individuals. Thus, the project has enhanced the level of trust, participation and social capital, and as a result, has provided the social context needed for reaching the desired sustainable rural development.