Social Framework
What is a Social Framework?
A social framework is a conceptual model that aims at assisting in identifying group common values and needs. A social framework can analyze, prioritize and integrate practical methodology for understanding negative impacts and maximizing positive outcomes.
Social frameworks can be used and adapted in a wide variety of ecosystems, depending on their objective.
Social Framework Objectives
Affordability
Creating a system that offers sustainable livelihoods involves an impact assessment on overall affordability.
The implementation of any plan that affects the local community, needs to be backed up by a model to assist the affordability of the changes enacted.
The project financing procedure needs to include a separate budget dedicated to assisting the vulnerable members of the community.
Access to programs and services
There are many social frameworks that are dedicated to assessing and managing inclusive access to programs and services.
The goal is to make sure that the members of the community who are in most need are aware of the existence and availability of these programs and services.
Free counseling, scholarship opportunities, or supported housing programs should be taken into consideration after a proper social framework analysis.
Safety
The reality and perception of safety in a social environment are strong indicators of the overall well-being of the community.
Creating and maintaining a social framework that addresses social issues like safety and mitigation measures is more than a conceptual but practical model of framework.
Overall feelings of connectedness and inclusion
When creating a social framework for projects, it is important that the stakeholders understand the operations and feel included in the process.
However, environmental and social specialists tend to use jargon that is not easily understood by the public. This creates barriers and results in feelings of exclusion.
Assuring stakeholder engagement is essential to any project.
Socio-economic growth
Planning and managing socio-economic growth must take into consideration the social sustainability facet of the project.
A social impact assessment is necessary before planning the implementation.
Higher-income reflects in other growth figures like health; knowledge; relationships; safety; art and culture; self-direction, and political freedoms.
However, an environmental and social framework that takes a sustainable livelihood approach should address issues such as equity, instability, increased burden on the earth’s resources, and other economic externalities.
Minimizing resettlement impact
The social impact of resettlement continues to have its risks and impacts not fully understood.
Natural disasters, wars, lack of foreseeable durable alternatives have made the issue of relocation a complex situation to handle.
Managing the social impacts and social risks that arise at the resettlement sites is a continuous struggle for organizations around the world.
When it comes to minimizing resettlement impact, the social framework studies community rebuilding, family reunification, and other ways of reintegrating the affected community.
The Social Framework represents a tool that allows all impacts to be outlined and communicated with all stakeholders in a manner they can understand.
Examples of Social Framework
- In 2015 the United Nations General Assembly adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have the intention to provide sustainable communities with affordable, clean energy and infrastructure while maintaining ecosystems and ensuring good health and well-being for all be achieved by the year 2030.
- Formed in 1919 the International Labour Organization (ILO) works to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, and enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.
- The UN Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was introduced in 1948.
It helped form the International Bill of Human Rights, and works as a framework for enshrining the concept that “human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.
Community development through a social framework is intentionally shifting the way communities work together and focusing on the things that matter,
Through conversations and research, it’s clear that strong relationships mobilize positive social change.
Reference:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14615517.2016.1271539