Striving hard (6)
I believe the answer is:
trying
This clue might be a double definition.
'striving' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'hard' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trying that I've seen before include "What could be witnessed in court" , "Difficult - hearing" , "Making an effort - but annoying" , "Annoying; sampling" , "Tiresome" .)