The study of social networks has been gaining importance in health promotion because of the horizontality and synergy created by aggregating groups seeking improved living conditions. Some results of the investigation "Capela in Action and the integrated and participative management of public policies", which assessed an administrative model of the Capela do Socorro sub-prefecture, in southern São Paulo city, are presented. The analysis of the data addressed the relationships between local leaders, their integration into networks and how far these relationships facilitate actions seeking improved living conditions. The universe of leaders and entities was not defined a priori, but empirically from references collected in the field by the snowball technique. Semi-structured interviews identified groups, movements and entities and their relationships with local government. The data identified 247 leadership positions, 342 associations and complexities of the administrative model studied, within the perspective of the construction of social and political networks as instruments of popular participation. Analyses showed that in inter-group relationships, presented as a sociogram, diffuse connections characterized an extensive, sparse network. Changes are underway in civil society, both in organization and social transformation. Some facts pointed here provide local administration with information to create new opportunities for participation and facilitate local leaders' involvement in the implementation of public policies.
health promotion; social networks; intersectorial action; social participation
