From Clients to Citizens: Asset-Based Community Development as a Strategy For Community- Driven Development

Alison Mathie, Gord Cunningham, January 2002
The Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University

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Abstract

Asset-based community development (ABCD) is presented as an alternative to needs-based approaches to development. Following an overview of the principles and practice of ABCD, five major elements of ABCD are examined in the light of current literature on relevant research and practice. This involves exploring:

• the theory and practice of appreciative inquiry;
• the concept of social capital as an asset for community development;
• the theory of community economic development, such as the sustainable livelihoods approach;
• lessons learned from two decades of international development in the participatory paradigm; and
• the theory and practice of building active citizenship engagement and a stronger civil society.

How ABCD both reflects recent trends in these areas and stands to benefit from the insights generated from this work is outlined.