Asset-Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD) is an approach that recognises the strengths, assets, potentials, and capacities that communities inherently have to drive development.

This strengths-based approach has the ability to improve even further the quality of life of elders as it provides an enabling environment that harnesses their capacities, strengths and skills to solve their own problems and create a more positive older stage.

Assets include stories, knowledge, innovations, talents, associations and networks, local institutions, physical assets, and natural resources; financial resources; cultural assets; rights, claims and entitlements. The intention is to surface hidden abilities and grow a common vision and appreciation from which to move forward. ABCD is an organic, deeply respectful approach that supports development from the inside-out.

The ABCD project was launched in September 2020, located in NOAH’s Happiness Programme. The management team was trained to encourage uptake from the onset. Over time, NOAH adopted ABCD as its core practice. The project became a catalyst of organisational change.

The purpose of the ABCD project is to:

• Deepen knowledge and understanding of the development context and where ABCD can be applied;
• Deepen knowledge and understanding of ABCD as a paradigm (way of thinking) compared to the ‘needs or ‘problem’ based approach;
• Develop skills in ABCD facilitation and practical tools for asset mapping, visioning, and planning; programme design and monitoring/evaluation using ABCD as an approach;
• Monitor, evaluate and document the ABCD project including lessons, successes, and case studies.

Find out more about the ABDC methodology here.