See: Asset Based Community Development by Cormac Russell
See: Community: The structure of belonging by Peter Block
Notes on Asset Based Community Development (via Google Bard):
Asset-based community development (ABCD) is a methodology for community development that focuses on the strengths and resources of a community, rather than its needs. This approach to community development is based on the belief that every community has assets, such as people, skills, and organizations, that can be used to address its challenges.
ABCD is a strengths-based approach to community development that focuses on the following principles:
- Everyone has something to contribute. No matter how poor or marginalized a community may be, it has assets that can be used to build a better future.
- Relationships build a community. Strong relationships between people and organizations are essential for sustainable community development.
- People are capable of change. With the right support, people can overcome challenges and build a better future for themselves and their community.
ABCD is a process that involves the following steps:
- Asset mapping. The first step in ABCD is to identify the assets of a community. This includes identifying the skills, talents, and resources of individuals, organizations, and institutions.
- Organizing. Once the assets of a community have been identified, the next step is to organize people and organizations around shared goals. This can be done through formal or informal organizations, such as community groups, businesses, or faith-based organizations.
- Action planning. The third step is to develop an action plan that identifies specific goals and objectives, as well as the strategies and resources needed to achieve them.
- Implementation. The fourth step is to implement the action plan and track progress towards achieving the goals.
- Evaluation. The final step is to evaluate the success of the ABCD process and make adjustments as needed.
ABCD is a long-term process that requires the commitment and participation of people from all sectors of a community. However, it is a powerful approach to community development that can help to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Here are some of the benefits of using an asset-based approach to community development:
- It can help to build stronger relationships between people and organizations.
- It can help to identify and tap into the skills and talents of community members.
- It can help to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members.
- It can help to build a more sustainable community.
If you are interested in learning more about asset-based community development, there are a number of resources available online and in libraries. You can also contact your local community development agency to learn more about how ABCD is being used in your area.
[Author’s Note: The above text was AI-generated and may not be accurate. The overarching intent behind this blog post is to provide a starting point for discussions among aspiring community builders. Just as startup founders can benefit from startup oriented content (such as those provided by accelerators and incubators), community builders can benefit from community building oriented content. If you are an aspiring community builder, please contribute to the discussion by commenting on this post]