ABCD in Technology/Infrastructure?
Tips, Tools, Strategies, and Technology
You have raised lots of interesting points within your post
"these technology and infrastructure projects might bring in outside resources, but should create a stronger, permanent connection between the community and those outside resources like a county technician, a water pump supplier/repairer in the nearest city, and government funds available for infrastructure projects."
I have been reading a colleagues PhD thesis on Citizen Voice and ABCD/strength based approaches, it taught me quite a lot on how ABCD/SBA can be integrated into working with service providers, reducing conflict and helping collaboration between a 'community' and those who have a role to support them.
(http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/research/handle/10453/21817)
In reflection, when I used ABCD for an extended period the partnership neglected integration with government. The water users group certainly accessed suppliers (who provided materials and technical advice) but collaborated minimally with the government. A large reason was because the community water user group had bad experience with government projects in the past, they wanted this to be "theirs".
Looking for local assets (local materials, local expertise) has practical, economic and resilience benefits. A supplier 2 hours away as was the case in this instance is possibly bordering "outside resources" but was also a huge asset. I was also an "outside asset" in a sense I was working with them for a defined period and the water user group did utilise me for technical advice.
In grappling with similar questions to you, my mantra was: are those implementing the project (the community water user group) accessing and utilising these external resources from a standpoint of power? Or in turning to external aid were they forgoing their power and ability to self-determine their future.