European inventory of
societal values of culture

INDICATORS OF SOLIDARITY IN CULTURAL POLICY

Social solidarity refers to the cohesion and mutual support among individuals within a society or community. It is a concept that reflects the degree of unity, cooperation, and interconnectedness among people, as well as their willingness to work together toward common goals and interests. Social solidarity is an essential part of social life, as it helps create a sense of shared identity and belonging and promotes the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole. It can be identified by the presence of legal and moral norms and good customs that promote solidarity.

Social solidarity expresses itself in high levels of social capital; the presence of social support networks, both formal and informal; participation in collective actions (such as protests, community events, or shared initiatives); the willingness of individuals to volunteer their time or donate resources to help others in need, support for marginalised or vulnerable groups; the way a community comes together and responds during times of crisis or disaster and many other ways.

Indicators that measure solidarity in the cultural field include increased involvement of local communities in decision-making processes related to cultural development, partnerships with community-based organisations, and programs that encourage active participation in cultural activities.

One of the major indicators of solidarity is the degree to which community members and stakeholders are involved in developing cultural policies and implementing policies that promote social inclusion in cultural spaces and activities.

The second would be the number and quality of collaborations between cultural organisations, community groups, and government entities. Many of these collaborative projects achieved results, and the relevant experiences of participants can be valuable indicators of attempts to raise solidarity to a higher level.

The third refers to programs that encourage active participation in cultural activities. Progress indicators in this area include more significant participation of diverse communities in cultural activities and events, removing barriers to accessing cultural resources, and targeted outreach to marginalised groups.

Although it is not easy to measure solidarity with complete accuracy, some methods can provide an estimate of its existence and influence. These include: