Benefits of asset-based models

For individuals and communities:

·        more control over their lives and where they live;

·        the ability to influence decisions which affect them and their communities;

·        the opportunity to be engaged how and as they want to be and to be seen as part of the solution, not the problem;

·        increased wellbeing through strengthening control, knowledge, self-esteem and social contacts, giving skills for life and work;

·        engagement of individuals who would not usually get involved.

For society more broadly:

·        Asset based approaches supports sustainable community-driven development because they leverage skills and expertise already in the community, as opposed to the skills and expertise of external groups and organisations, which are often working to fixed-term contracts in the community, and therefore eventually withdraw. Asset based processes often start with “locating and making an inventory of assets, skills and capacities of residents, citizen associations and local institutions”.

·        Asset based approaches reduce community dependency on external organisations and their financial support and capabilities. While external organisations do have a role to play, it is one of facilitation and support. As Mathie suggest, external agencies have a role to play as “facilitator of a process, and as a node in a widening network of connections the community may have with other actors. The challenge is to avoid the level of involvement that can induce dependency”.