Asset-Based Community Development
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is an approach to community development that utilizes the strengths of social relationships, people’s ‘gifts’ to create meaningful change. It starts from the premise that we all have strengths/gifts/assets to offer our communities, and that if we start from those strengths in our community and focus on what’s strong not what’s wrong, we can all thrive in our communities!
The ABCD model is defined by three interrelated characteristics: “asset-based” in that it draws on the capacity of a community’s residents; “internally-focused” as it draws on the problem-solving capabilities of local residents, associations and institutions - by community, for community & citizen power; and “relationship driven” with a focus on building relationships between and among community members
The ABCD Institute has a great resource for learning more about unlocking the gifts of our community.
This page features upcoming gatherings and learning opportunities that helps us to start deepen ABCD practice in our own communities. It also features the latest blog posts relating to ABCD - whether reflections from the ABCD Learning and Action Team, tools, resources, and other opportunities!
If you are looking to learn more about ABCD, want to be in conversation with like minded individuals, or are interested in moving ABCD work forward join the conversation at our monthly Growing our ABCD Practice.
ABCD Resources
Upcoming gatherings & learning opportunities
CDLI hosts monthly Open Space-style conversations for Community Development Practitioners to come together with their peers and discuss the topics, questions, opportunities, or challenges most top of mind for them at the time.
Calgary Climate Hub Volunteer Holiday Extravaganza
Recent posts relating to abcd
Reimagining Community Through an ABCD Lens: Strengths, Stories, and Shared Futures
Who do you know in your community? And how do you build neighbourhood connections?
Bridges Not Walls: The Art of Building Trust and Meaningful Relationships
Doing "By" Not "For" the Community: A Shift to Asset-Based Community Development Case Study
Welcoming the Building Connected Communities Project Community Partners!
These groups/organizations will be hosting a community connector as part of the project from March 2025 through December 2026.
What’s Strong, Not What’s Wrong: The Magic of Asset-Based Community Development
Introducing the Building Connected Communities Project Team
A project by CDLI exploring Asset-Based Community Development in Calgary
Celebrating the New Asset-Based Community Development Project by CDLI!
Asset Based Community Development Learning and Action Team
6 months of learning and connecting!
CDLI Community Development Practitioners Gathering Harvest March 2024
On Tuesday, March 28 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. we’ll be hosting a roundtable showcasing Community Development in Action for our March Meet Up! Find out more about our Roundtable guests here.
Residents from Hillhurst Sunnyside took part in Community Placemakers Fall 2022.
Check out the harvest from the August ABCD Learning and Action Team gathering! We share some ideas and some reflections on what it means to connect with our communities.
The CDLI hosted a Jane’s Walk on Asset Mapping in Mount Pleasant! Learn more about the experience!