Asset Mapping [C/S]

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Asset mapping, whereby a group of community volunteers map the assets of the community, helps communities to understand what resources, buildings, people, networks, skills, activities, knowledge and interests they already have, and learn what other members of the community (of place or interest) want to change.

As well as being a useful way of gathering information, asset mapping encourages new relationships between individuals and groups. Asset mapping can be undertaken by the community or supported by a community development worker.

Step by step approach

The five key steps are:

Step 1. Recruit a group of community members to lead the asset mapping.
Step 2. Contact everyone – individuals, groups and networks (formal and informal) – who is active in your community. Those who get involved can help to recruit others.
Step 3. Through face-to-face conversations, door knocking and community events, collate a list of the assets and talents of individuals in the community.

N.B. it may be tempting to skip mapping the assets of individuals and move straight to mapping associations and organisations, not least because they are easier to do. However mapping individual assets will underpin the asset mapping overall and will also help to identify community leaders, champions, ‘fiery spirits’ and potential volunteers.

Step 4. Identify the resources and assets of local associations, networks, clubs and volunteers.
Step 5. Map the assets of agencies and organisations, including the services they offer, the physical spaces and funding they could provide, and the staff and networks they have.

Those who are doing the asset mapping can ask individuals and organisations what they do/have now, but also what they would like to do/have in the future.

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