August 3 – 14, 2020
Application deadline May 15, 2020

This course is built on lessons learned from communities around the world that are driving their own development and are engaged in equitable partnerships with outside institutions. Rather than starting with needs and deficits, an Asset-Based Citizen-led Development (ABCD) approach helps communities to identify and build upon strengths and assets. This course will introduce participants to principles, methods and tools that feed directly into community development initiatives designed to stimulate and support citizen-led efforts.

During this course, you will:

• differentiate between needs-based and asset-based approaches to development on a personal and professional level;
• practice participatory tools and methods for uncovering community assets and strengths in the classroom and in a nearby community;
• share international examples of communities that have successfully driven their own development and sustained positive change over time;
• experience first-hand practical examples of ABCD in action in local communities;
• challenge and problematize the role of outside institutions in responding to citizen-led development;
• explore how asset-based and rights-based approaches can be integrated to challenge power dynamics at the community level and between communities and institutions; and
• unpack and respond to the critiques of asset-based approaches.

For more information, check out our Coady web page: https://coady.stfx.ca/asset-based-and-citizen-led-development/.