| dc.description.abstract | Community Based Organisations (CBOs) are membership organisations operating at the subcounty level and below whose objective is to promote and advance the wellbeing of its members and the community at large. Social cohesion within CBOs is described as an ongoing process of developing shared values, tackling shared challenges and having equal opportunities within the CBO based on a sense of trust, hope and reciprocity among all members. For CBOs to operate effective, there must be co-operation, interpersonal trust, shared norms and values, mutual aid support, sense of belongingness and meeting the needs of members which act as a glue that binds members together and continue with the desire to remain members of the group. The attributes of social cohesion act as a glue that hold members together thus leading to proper functioning of the CBO while its absence leads to disintegration of the CBO.
This qualitative study aimed to establish the facilitative factors and challenges for social cohesion in Community Based Organisations in Lubaga Division Urban Council. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with six members of CBOs and 02 key informant interviews. I also conducted two Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) with members of CBOs, Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
The study findings suggest that group size, external competition and threats, homogeneity, group success, and Members’ contribution to the group are factors which influence social cohesion in CBOs. Personal ego, dishonesty and lack of transparency, gossiping and discrimination were highlighted by the study as the major challenges which limits achievement of social cohesion in CBOs in Lubaga Division Urban Council. The study highlighted; trustworthy, transparency, respect for each other, follow the laws governing the group and non-discrimination as way to which CBOs in Lubaga division Urban Council can maintain social cohesion. Those virtues highlighted by the study can be achieved through organising group meetings in which members are provided with information about the group activities, clear accountability and also consulted about group operations. The results of current study suggested several implications regarding, social work practice and research in the field of social work and social cohesion in CBOs. | en_US |
