ABCD Intro

Page 1

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and Organization   PURPOSE ABCD is a strategy for sustainable community-driven development and organization. ABCD’s purpose is to build on the assets and capabilities that are present in the community and mobilizes individuals, (in)formal community structures/groups and institutions to come together to build on their assets, not concentrate only on their needs, and to respond to and create local social economic opportunity. ABCD focuses on what is strong and not what is wrong. To sustain these efforts, the formation and strengthening of diverse community based organizations is essential. KEY FEATURES Key premise: Change will only happen if we identify and mobilize the gifts and capacities of local people and the social, physical and economic resources in a given locality. Key features:  Community mobilization and development: ABCD focuses on community assets and strengths rather than problems and needs, and identifies and mobilizes individual and community assets, skills and passions. It is community driven – ‘building communities from the inside out’ and relationship driven. Community groups use only/largely own resources (at least initially) and maintain control of its activities also when external actors become involved. Sufficient time is spent in identifying the assets of individuals, groups and institutions before they are mobilized to work together. Community based groups should drive the community development process and leverage additional support and entitlements. External facilitators lead by stepping back. Identification of (in)formal community leaders or motivators is a key element in community mobilization. Sufficient time is needed to identify respected and reliable persons that are trusted by the community and that have an inclusive attitude towards all in the community. Good leaders/motivators value the knowledge and wisdom of each community member, particularly those who are poor or who lack confidence.  Enabling society: relations with the external environment are crucial and have basically two dimensions: first, they are based on enabled communities that have enforced their asset/resource/capacity base and therefore are more able to interact with the external environment and second, able representatives seek collaboration with 3rd parties/advocate for access to resources or allocation of government resources on behalf of the community (public accountability). This also relates to downward accountability in which non-government support organizations recognize that they have to be accountable to the people they aim to support. This can be done through participation in the whole project cycle, complaint/response feedback mechanisms, and transparent provision of (project) information. 

ABCD includes in assessing and mobilizing community based assets/resources: o Natural resources: land, trees, forests and water; o Human resources: skills, knowledge, understanding and labor of local people;


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.