Asset Based Community Development

Badge image for Asset Based Community Development

Asset Based Community Development

The Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) microcredential is designed for individuals who are interested in facilitating and mobilizing communities by identifying and utilizing the assets and gifts already present in the community. Learners in this experience focus on the ABCD approach, which moves away from traditional approaches of community development that focus on community needs and deficits. Participants will learn how to facilitate interactive learning and enable others to collaborate as they act upon their gifts, develop facilitation skills, and navigate the building and maintenance of transformational and transactional relationships. By completing this microcredential, earners will gain a deeper understanding of ABCD practices and processes, asset mapping and identification of six types of assets, and the ability to tell stories about all these assets.

Earning Criteria

- Complete the pre-assessment
- Complete the post-assessment and demonstrate improvement over the pre-assessment
- Complete the skills course and its component requirements
- Participated in at least 80% of all course activities

Additional Details

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of ABCD practices and processes by applying the principle of "leading by stepping back" in community development initiatives.
2. Develop effective facilitation skills to foster interactive learning and enable collaboration among community members as they leverage their individual and collective gifts.
3. Conduct asset mapping exercises and identify the six types of assets (individual, associational, institutional, spatial, financial, and cultural) within a community context.
4. Navigate the building and maintenance of transformational and transactional relationships with community members, organizations, and institutions to foster collective action and empowerment.
5. Construct compelling narratives that highlight the assets and strengths of individuals, groups, and the community as a whole, with a particular emphasis on showcasing the assets of others.

Time to Earn

This badge is connected with a learning experience equivalent with 1 graduate level credit. Typically, the badge is earned across 5 weekly meetings of 2.5hrs (12.5 hrs instruction time and 25-30 hrs of independent preparation and project time time)

Sally Scott

Sally Scott

Prof of Practice

Division of Professional Studies
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health