Asset-Based and Community-Led Development Principles
This 6-week online course introduces you to fundamental Asset-Based and Community-Led Development (ABCD) theories and principles. You will learn tools to support communities to organize themselves to discover, connect and mobilize their strengths for change. In addition, you will be able to reflect on the outside institutions’ role in supporting community development projects to avoid dependency and foster sustainable community development projects.
Who can register?
This course is designed for change-makers of any age or sector who are questioning the relevance of projects and programs driven by external organizations and focused on community needs and deficits. This includes community builders, government agencies, NGOs, universities, and grant making organizations. You are a strong candidate if you are passionate about helping communities flourish and reach their full potential, curious about how ABCD can enhance your work, and committed to applying the approach after the course.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the fundamental theories and principles of Asset-Based and Community-Led Development.
- Apply participatory methods to discover, connect, and mobilize community assets.
- Provide insights on how external institutions can support Asset-Based and Community-Led Development projects.
- Examine the limitations and critiques of ABCD and explore ways in which ABCD can strengthen other approaches to change (e.g., rights-based approaches).
Personal benefits
- Enhanced Skill Set: Participants will gain practical tools and methodologies to effectively engage communities, empowering them to identify and mobilize their own strengths for sustainable change.
- Critical Insight: The course provides participants with a deeper understanding of the dynamics between communities and external organizations, equipping them to critically assess and improve their approaches to community development.
- Networking Opportunities: Participants will connect with like-minded professionals from diverse sectors, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices that can enhance their own initiatives
Organization benefits
- Improved Project Outcomes: By integrating ABCD principles into their practices, organizations can develop more effective, community-driven projects that lead to sustainable outcomes and increased community ownership.
- Strengthened Community Relationships: Organizations will learn to build stronger relationships with the communities they serve, enhancing trust and collaboration, which can lead to more impactful and relevant programming.
- Organizational Capacity Building: Equipping staff with ABCD knowledge fosters a culture of empowerment within the organization, leading to innovative approaches and improved overall performance in community engagement initiatives.
Time requirement
The live learning sessions will take place from 17:00 – 19:00 Universal Time (UTC) on Thursdays.
This course runs for six weeks. As a participant, you are expected to spend eight hours per week engaged in learning activities by attending live learning sessions, participating in online discussion forums, reading, reflecting, and completing assignments independently. While they are not mandatory, you are strongly encouraged to attend the live sessions. All instructional materials will be in English.
Fees
Tuition for the course is $400CAD. Coady Institute strives to ensure that practitioners and community members working toward community led development around the world have access to its courses. This is made possible through funding provided by many individual and institutional donors. Full bursaries are available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members residing in Canada, and members from African Nova Scotian communities and Nova Scotians of African descent. If you belong to one of these communities and would like to request a full bursary, please reach out to coadyadmit@stfx.ca.
If you are unable to pay by credit card, please reach out to our finance officer to arrange for an alternate form of payment.
This course is online. You will need a computer, reliable internet access (high speed is recommended), speakers and microphone.