Since 2024, AFEW International has been using the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach in its projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries. But what is ABCD approach? What are the benefits of it for the communities?
What is ABCD?
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is a strategy for sustainable community-driven development. The central notion in the ABCD approach is that community-based organisations and community members take control of their own development, identifying and using their own strengths, resources and potentials (their assets). As such, it constitutes a paradigm shift from the traditional needs-based approach (what is lacking) – which predominantly looks at external support – to a more asset-based approach (what we have) which focuses on developing a common vision and using one’s own strengths and resources to succeed. In short, the approach builds on what is strong, not on what is wrong.
Needs and Assets
The ABCD approach does not ignore the fact that communities often face many problems and challenges; it certainly acknowledges these problems but does not take them as its starting point. Traditionally, many development efforts have used needs-based approaches. These approaches usually start by focusing on problems and deficiencies in the community. This has led to a number of unintended consequences:
- Leaders only talk about community problems and needs and become preoccupied with getting external help and resources. If funding is to be renewed, problems must always look worse than last year and worse than other communities.
- There is a growing dependence on external rather than internal resources and relationships.
- Community members come to believe that they can’t improve their lives without outside assistance.
- The existing efforts, assets, and resources of the community are undervalued and overlooked.
ABCD in practice
Throughout the process of ABCD integration, local activists are supported in their engagement with community groups, using an ABCD manual whereby participants follow the so-called “ABCD Roadmap”. It consists of nine consecutive steps that guide small informal groups to formulate a common goal and to reach that goal by using mostly their own assets.
ABCD processes, therefore, always start with a so-called “asset-mapping” exercise. As community members start gaining self-confidence and becoming more equal dialogue partners, they also become more proactive and eager to cooperate to achieve common goals. Hence, this method puts power and decision-making on a bigger scale into an individual’s own hands. It is a truly empowering process, which can, once embraced, be applied in virtually any situation of life.
Our practice
Since 2024, AFEW International has been integrating the ABCD approach into its projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The approach has already demonstrated success in several countries, where it has empowered communities to take control of their development and maximize their potential. In January 2025 AFEW International organized a training for community leaders, local activists, and organization representatives from Georgian NGOs. In February the same training was conducted for Uzbek CSOs, as part of the project Empowering Voices for Inclusive Development: Strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Uzbekistan, focusing on women and youth. AFEW International remains committed to strengthening civil society, fostering community-driven solutions, and promoting inclusivity. By equipping local organizations with the ABCD methodology, we aim to create sustainable, community-led development that uplifts underserved groups and amplifies their voices in decision-making processes.
