What is Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)

Asset Based Community Development is a powerful and inclusive approach to community development. Focus your effort on discovering and mobilizing the resources that are already present in your community. When people become more productive together - they exercise their power to address problems and realize dreams!

• Learn to tap the potential of your neighborhood
• Discover how to build more community engagement and involvement
• Work on real life situations and develop action plans to take home, church or small group
• Be challenged to be a good neighbor

To register for the next ABCD training opportunity click here.

Below is a quick look at the principles and strategies of ABCD:

1. Finding Assets & Gifts – (learning to look at people and neighborhoods as half-full, discerning the personal gifts and collective assets within)
   
   
2. Uncovering What People Care about Enough to Act – (looks at how to engage in listening and learning conversations which reveal dreams and concerns that motivate people toward action)
   
   
3. Distinguishing of Roles People and Programs – (individuals, grassroots associations, agencies, and institutions each have strengths and weaknesses, here we discover what they are and how to strive for balancing the best elements)
   
   
4. Leading by Stepping Back – (helps organizations, churches, agencies to lead from a posture of humility, empowering others toward their own solutions, ideas and projects)
   
   
5. Including All – (emphasizes the common, inclusive nature of community partnerships; in ABCD work all stakeholders are welcome. How do we make space for all?)
   
   
6. Mobilizing Groups to Action – (what's next after discovering common interests? How do we create opportunities to work together?)