What are the benefits and challenges of collaborating with other organizations in community asset mapping?

1 Why collaborate?

Collaboration can enhance the effectiveness and impact of community asset mapping by bringing together diverse perspectives, skills, and resources. It can also foster trust, mutual learning, and empowerment among the participants. Collaboration can help to identify and address gaps, overlaps, and opportunities in the community, and to create synergies and partnerships that can sustain the initiatives. However, collaboration also requires time, effort, and commitment, and it can pose some challenges, such as communication, coordination, and conflict resolution.

2 How to collaborate?

Collaboration in community asset mapping is not a one-size-fits-all model; the process and outcomes are contingent on the context, purpose, and participants of each project. Nevertheless, some general principles and practices can be used to guide the collaboration, such as establishing a shared vision, mission, and goals; identifying and engaging relevant and representative stakeholders, and ensuring their participation and ownership; building trust, respect, and rapport among collaborators, and acknowledging their contributions and expectations; communicating effectively and transparently, and using appropriate tools and methods; managing and resolving conflicts and disagreements constructively and respectfully; and evaluating and monitoring the progress and impact of the project, as well as celebrating the achievements and learning.

3 Case study 1: Community Food Lab

Community Food Lab is a nonprofit organization that works to create a healthy and resilient food system in Raleigh, North Carolina. Through the use of community asset mapping, the organization is able to gain a better understanding of the food environment and the food-related needs and assets of the community. To further this mission, Community Food Lab collaborates with a variety of stakeholders, such as local farmers, food businesses, schools, health agencies, and community groups, to design and implement projects that address food insecurity, food waste, food education, and food policy. For example, the Raleigh Food Corridor connects and showcases urban farms, gardens, markets, and events along a three-mile stretch of downtown, the Wake County Food Security Plan provides a comprehensive and collaborative framework to increase access to healthy and affordable food for all residents, and the Food Spark is a monthly gathering that invites people to share their ideas and passions about food and to support each other in launching food-related initiatives.

4 Case study 2: Asset-Based Community Development Institute

The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, based at DePaul University in Chicago, is a research and training center that encourages the use of community asset mapping as a way to mobilize and empower communities. It works with local leaders, practitioners, and researchers to create and spread tools, methods, and resources for community asset mapping. Additionally, it facilitates learning networks and exchanges among the practitioners and communities that use the ABCD approach. Among its projects are the ABCD Toolkit, a compilation of guides, worksheets, and examples that help communities to map and leverage their assets; the ABCD Learning Sites, communities that have successfully applied the ABCD approach and that host visitors and share their experiences and lessons; and the ABCD Festival, a biennial event that brings together hundreds of ABCD practitioners and enthusiasts from around the world to learn, network, and celebrate.

5 Case study 3: Community Asset Mapping for Older Adults

The Community Asset Mapping for Older Adults project, led by the University of British Columbia in collaboration with local governments, health authorities, community organizations, and older adults, seeks to improve the quality of life and well-being of older adults in rural areas of British Columbia, Canada. This project utilizes community asset mapping to engage and empower older adults to identify and address their needs and aspirations, as well as to connect them with the existing and potential resources and services in their communities. To achieve this, the project involves conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups with older adults and service providers to assess the strengths and challenges of the communities, organizing workshops and events with older adults to map and prioritize their assets and needs, and to co-create action plans and solutions, and supporting and mentoring older adults to implement and evaluate their projects, such as creating social clubs, organizing transportation, or improving accessibility.