This 2011 Issue Brief explores the relationship between civic engagement and economic resilience. It finds that five measures of civic engagement – attending meetings, helping neighbors, registering to vote, volunteering and voting – appear to help protect against unemployment and contribute to overall economic resilience.

“Civic Health and Unemployment: Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?” is released by NCoC in partnership with CIRCLE (the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement), Civic Enterprises, Saguaro Seminar, and the National Constitution Center.

Note:
An update to this research was released in September 2012. “Civic Health and Unemployment II: The Case Builds” is available here.