Abstract
Social capital exists in the social networks and ties among people that might arise also in the context of leisure activities. Social capital is a form of source that can be used for individual benefits or it can contribute to the growth of social cohesion.
Social ties created within leisure time can serve for both purposes. Furthermore some forms of leisure activities (e.g. volunteering) are aimed to improve the well-being of the society.
The aim of this paper is to explain how and within what leisure activities social capital is created and present the methodology and first results of analysis of vertical and horizontal differentiation of the preconditions for the formation of social capital within leisure in Czechia. Our research is based on the data about voluntary associations in Czech municipalities and regions.
The associations are based on the voluntary work of their members within their leisure and are also important for the community life, as they provide leisure activities for other inhabitants.