Social capital development and configurations within advisory and innovation support programmes on the island of Ireland

The development of social capital, networks and knowledge exchange in farming and agriculture has received growing attention in rural studies and extension literature over the past two decades. In this context, the role of Advisory and Innovation Support Programmes (AISPs) in fostering social ties and network development is increasingly recognised. Despite significant transitions towards more facilitative and innovation-brokering approaches, less attention has been paid to how the organisational design and delivery of AISPs actively shape the development of social capital among farmers. This paper addresses this gap through a qualitative multiple-case study of seven AISPs across the island of Ireland, operating within contrasting AKIS contexts in Ireland and Northern Ireland (NI). We explore how forms of social capital (bonding, bridging and linking) manifest and inter-relate within these advisory settings. Bonding ties created early cohesion, which was then extended through bridging ties that introduced new knowledge, and linking ties that connected farmers to wider institutions. However, differences emerged between Ireland and NI, partly explained by contrasting macro and meso-level advisory arrangements and institutional embeddedness. In Ireland, longer established and more continuous advisory systems strengthened linking ties, whereas in NI more fragmented arrangements constrained them despite strong peer bonds. The paper extends research on social capital development in advisory settings within AKIS, highlighting how programme design, organisational structure and institutional context shape the formation and balance of social capital relationships. • AISPs foster various forms of social capital (bonding, bridging and linking) within farmer groups. • Bonding ties build early group cohesion, while bridging ties introduce new ideas and perspectives that enhance learning. • Programme structure is essential, but not sufficient, for building social capital. • Contrasting arrangements in Ireland and NI influence levels of institutional trust and the strength of linking capital. • Understanding how programmes configure forms of social capital offers insights for AKIS policy.