Asset Based Community Development

Overview of Module

• Introduce asset-based community development (ABCD)

• Discuss the four areas that are part of the ABCD process.

• Link the ABCD process to the seven community capitals

• Identify regional assets & barriers

Do we even know what we have?

Do we know what to do with what we have?

Asset Mapping

Kretzmann and McKnight

Let’s Start with PeopleHuman Infrastructure

People

Assets of People

The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD ) Approach:

Uncovers hidden talents and skills of people in your region.

Identifies people in key positions with access to important resources.

Taps the skills/talents of citizens who can help

Tools to Uncover Hidden Assets of Individuals

• Capacity Inventory of Individuals

• Community Participation and Leadership Inventory

Summary of “People” Tools

Specific Tool What It Does Why It’s Important

Capacity Inventory of Individuals

Zeroes in on the skills people have developed

Finds people with the skills needed to get projects and programs implemented

Community Participation and Leadership Inventory

Finds emerging leaders and uncovers the leadership potential in the region.

Expands leadership and broadens the number of people working on regional goals.

People

The Next Asset Mapping Area

VoluntaryAssociations

Voluntary Associations

• Rely on regular or occasional volunteers• Have few, if any, paid staff• Have autonomy from the state• Are self-governed by a board of unpaid

individuals (usually)• Tend to be not-for-profit organizations• Provide a benefit or service to non-members

Voluntary Associations

Source: BusinessDictionary.com

The Third Arena of Assets

Local Formal Institutions

Local InstitutionsFormal organizations that:• Provide programs, facilities and services to meet needs of residents.

• Carrying out functions vital to long-term community sustainability.

• Influence the vitality of the region by their presence and strength

Source: Etzen and Baca-Zinn, 2001; Sparknotes.com, 2006

Local Formal Institutions

Local Institutions Key toEconomic Development

Education Economic

Political/Governmental

Health

Uncovering Assets of VoluntaryAssociations & Local Formal Institutions

Challenge: How to identify the relevant assets and resources of voluntary groups and community institutions?

Solution: Inventory of Voluntary Associations and Local Formal Institutions

Information Collected• Mission or purpose• Physical location• Number of members and/or

employees• Current & planned activities

or programs• Partnering organizations

• Current resources:• Buildings• Equipment• Expertise• Grants, donations• External resources

UNCOVERING YOUR REGIONAL TEAM’S ORGANIZATIONAL

ASSETS

The Fourth Area of Assets

PhysicalResources

Physical ResourcesNatural & Human-Made

Water and land-related amenities Vacant and underutilized buildings Historical & cultural sites; museums Recreational facilities; parks Housing stock Educational centers; health facilities Roads & transportation systems

THE COMMUNITY CAPITALS FRAMEWORK

Sources: Flora & Flora (2008); Jacobs (2007)

The Seven Community Capitals

Natural

Cultural

Human

SocialPolitical

Financial

Built

A Vibrant Region

Defining the CapitalsCapitals Definition

Natural Quality & quantity of natural & environmental resources.

Cultural Values, norms, beliefs & traditions; includes historic material goods

Human Education & skills of residents; learning opportunities, programs to build local leadership.

Social Connections among people & organizations; links inside & outside of region.

Political Ability to influence & enforce rules and regulations. Access to influential people in govt. positions; level of citizen engagement.

Financial Financial resources available for development efforts.

Built The infrastructure of the region – facilities, services, physical structures.

Linking Asset Mapping & Community

Capitals

A Comprehensive Approach to

Discovering the Assets to Support

Regional Goals

The Asset Mapping Arenas

The Community

Capitals

Exploring Possible Barriers:The Other Dimension to Consider

Are there forces at play that might impede your efforts to achieve your regional goals? Factors within the region? Factors outside the region?

How can we identify these possible barriers?

Adding Barriers to the Template

Adding a column to

identify barriers

Keep in Mind . . .As you identify key voluntary associations and formal institutions• Interview leaders & members of the

organizations• Collect pertinent information using the

“Inventory to Voluntary Associations and Local Institutions”

• Link the activities/interests of these groups with your regional goals and activities

Difference between Asset Mapping and ABCD

Definition of Asset Mapping

• "Asset Mapping" is derived from an "asset-based" approach to community development, and refers to a range of approaches that work from the principle that a community can be built only by focusing on the strengths and capacities of the citizens and associations that call a neighborhood, community or county "home".

Asset Based CD model• The Asset Based CD model says – we are

citizens (someone that contributes to the community)– We can all make a contribution– Community can take pride in itself– Local relationships are important and improved– We are the answer– We are equal with others – we work together

ABCD

“Asset based community development is a powerful approach focused on discovering and mobilising the resources that are already present in a community. It provides a way for citizens to find and mobilise what they have in order to build a stronger community” (Green, Moore, & O’Brien, 2006)

Case Study

• Exploring the difference between the impacts of asset mapping and ABCD – The Wine Industry in Southern Italy and Tourism in

Appalachia