Community Assets

Community Assets

In conventional development approaches, assets are understood as the monetary or tangible resources that are available to a community. In community-based development approaches, especially in the informal settlement context of Cape Town, the most important assets in a community are not related to money but rather the skills and capabilities of the community members. While working in Cape Town our project team utilized the concept of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD).

The foundation for Asset Based Community Development is built upon using the skills and capabilities of community members as a driving force for development. While in Cape Town, our group first assessed the skills and capabilities of the community members. The team encountered community members who were leaders, owners of informal businesses and teachers, as well as many others who possessed a unique skill set. These community members offered crucial human resources, including leadership skills, communication skills, problem solving skills, teaching skills within the community, local business background and many more. When put together, these assets  showed great potential to contribute to the sustainability of the WaSH-UP business operations.