Dr. Alison Mathie discusses a growing approach to community development during an interview with Kelley MBA student Nick Sterne. Mathie, Manager of Research and Publications at Coady International Institute, explains the approach of asset-based community development and how it has been implemented to stimulate citizen-led development in many countries around the world. The approach helps communities focus on existing (and often under-appreciated) assets that can be mobilized to address issues it is facing, while preserving and building assets for future generations. Mathie explains that this approach changes the relationship with outside agencies. Outside agencies recognize what communities have organized for themselves and invest in such community-led initiatives. The Coady Institute is also exploring how to help communities understand value chains and deepen local networks and associational linkages so that they can participate in the local economy as active economic citizens. Mathie finishes by explaining some of the research she has done learning about how asset-based community development has been applied inside the United States. *This video was recorded as a part of the Indiana University CIBER Focus Vodcast Series.
