Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is a strengths-based approach to
community development that focuses on identifying, valuing and mobilising the
existing assets, skills and resources within individuals, families and communities
rather than concentrating primarily on their needs or deficits. Developed by John
McKnight and John Kretzmann at Northwestern University in the early 1990s,
ABCD argues that sustainable change is most likely to occur when communities
build upon their own strengths and capacities. Within social work, ABCD
promotes empowerment, participation, co-production and social inclusion by
recognising that individuals and communities possess valuable knowledge,
abilities and relationships that can contribute to positive change (Kretzmann &
McKnight, 1993).
Asset-Based Community Development emerged in response to traditional deficit-
based models of community intervention, which often focused on identifying
problems such as poverty, unemployment, crime or poor health. McKnight and
Kretzmann argued that while recognising needs is important, repeatedly defining
communities by their problems can reinforce dependency on professional
services and overlook the strengths that already exist. Instead, ABCD
encourages practitioners to identify and strengthen community assets that
support resilience, wellbeing and collective action.
A central principle of ABCD is that every individual has strengths and something
to contribute. Regardless of age, disability, health or social circumstances,
people possess skills, experiences, talents and knowledge that can benefit
others. Social workers therefore seek to identify and build upon these strengths
rather than viewing individuals solely through the lens of need or vulnerability.
Another key principle is that communities themselves are valuable resources.
Community organisations, local groups, faith communities, schools, sports clubs,
voluntary organisations and informal neighbourhood networks all represent
assets that can support wellbeing and reduce social isolation. ABCD encourages
practitioners to strengthen these existing connections rather than relying
exclusively on statutory services.
The model identifies several categories of community assets, including:
Individual assets – skills, talents, knowledge, experiences and interests.
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is a strengths-based approach to
community development that focuses on identifying, valuing and mobilising the
existing assets, skills and resources within individuals, families and communities
rather than concentrating primarily on their needs or deficits. Developed by John
McKnight and John Kretzmann at Northwestern University in the early 1990s,
ABCD argues that sustainable change is most likely to occur when communities
build upon their own strengths and capacities. Within social work, ABCD
promotes empowerment, participation, co-production and social inclusion by
recognising that individuals and communities possess valuable knowledge,
abilities and relationships that can contribute to positive change (Kretzmann &
McKnight, 1993).
Asset-Based Community Development emerged in response to traditional deficit-
based models of community intervention, which often focused on identifying
problems such as poverty, unemployment, crime or poor health. McKnight and
Kretzmann argued that while recognising needs is important, repeatedly defining
communities by their problems can reinforce dependency on professional
services and overlook the strengths that already exist. Instead, ABCD
encourages practitioners to identify and strengthen community assets that
support resilience, wellbeing and collective action.
A central principle of ABCD is that every individual has strengths and something
to contribute. Regardless of age, disability, health or social circumstances,
people possess skills, experiences, talents and knowledge that can benefit
others. Social workers therefore seek to identify and build upon these strengths
rather than viewing individuals solely through the lens of need or vulnerability.
Another key principle is that communities themselves are valuable resources.
Community organisations, local groups, faith communities, schools, sports clubs,
voluntary organisations and informal neighbourhood networks all represent
assets that can support wellbeing and reduce social isolation. ABCD encourages
practitioners to strengthen these existing connections rather than relying
exclusively on statutory services.
The model identifies several categories of community assets, including:
Individual assets – skills, talents, knowledge, experiences and interests.
