Building Connected Communities

The Building Connected Communities project is an initiative designed to strengthen Calgary’s neighborhoods and communities by focusing on their unique strengths and resources. Announced in May 2024, this City of Calgary funded project emphasizes the principles of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) to empower communities from within. ABCD focuses on community strengths to enhance local opportunities and meet shared objectives of community members in their communities.

The project is structured around two core pillars: ABCD Capacity Building and Community Connectors. Together, these pillars aim to equip communities with the knowledge and tools needed to harness their own strengths while fostering meaningful connections among residents.

CDLI will spearhead efforts through the dedicated BCC Project Team, which will collaborate with CDLI’s Core Staff to deliver capacity-building opportunities, facilitate meaningful community connections, and expand the reach of ABCD practices across Calgary’s neighborhoods. This initiative offers CDLI’s network a unique chance to actively shape Calgary’s neighborhoods while deepening their own ABCD practices

What is the role of a community connector?

Our Community Connectors are at the heartbeat of this project. They are individuals with strong ties within the community and are:

  • Gift centered, focusing on the strengths/assets of the community and not what is wrong

  • Well connected within the community and have the ability to invite people in

  • Trusted by the community and thus people are able to open up and share their gifts with them 

  • Believes  and embodies a diverse and welcoming community

BCC community connectors are working across eleven communities, organizations and associations of passion, interest, identity and place-based in Calgary (see below) championing the incorporation of asset-based community development into their community engagement and connection approach.

ABCD Capacity Building

As part of the Building Connected Communities (BCC) Project, The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Capacity Builder works collaboratively with the project team to provide the capacity building initiatives to the Community Connectors and the Calgary community at large.

The goal is to aid in the utilization and integration of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) framework within Calgary. As well as ensuring that we focus on community’s strengths to better create local opportunities and meet shared objectives of community members in their communities. It is our hope that the capacity building support will aid residents in gaining access to additional resources to increase community-level skills, strengthen social connections, and in turn enhance their sense of belonging and civic participation. 

 These initiatives include:

  • Growing our ABCD Practice - This is a combination of both in-person and online gatherings that seeks to explore and apply all things ABCD. Our monthly gatherings convenes people who are interested in learning more about using ABCD in their communities (beginners and those more familiar with the framework are all welcome).

  • One-on-One Capacity Building Support - This is support offered to anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge on ABCD. The Capacity Builder is available to connect with you on all things Asset-Based Community Development and you can reach out to her here. 

  • Monthly Blog Posts-That highlights cool tools and resources that can help you navigate your ABCD journey, whether you are new to it or wanting to add to your ABCD knowledge.

  • Conversation Circles- These are in-person conversations in partnership with community members and organizations to explore the intersections of ABCD and active allyship, anti-racism and/or decolonization. You can read more about our maiden gathering in collaboration with the Calgary Climate Hub HERE.

The ABCD Capacity Builder also provides monthly and quarterly internal training and gatherings for the BCC Community Connectors to ensure their continued learning and understanding on utilizing an ABCD approach in their community engagement work.

BCC Resource Map

This Kumu Map features a collection of resources and tools that support deepening ABCD practice in our communities. From guides on anti-racism to practical tools, case studies, and examples from the field, the map offers pathways to explore and connect with the many ways people are bringing ABCD to life.

Check out our resource page HERE for more community resources and tools.

UPCOMING GATHERINGS AND CONTACT US

To learn more about ABCD, check out the City of Calgary’s ABCD Toolkit, or reach out to us and let us know how we can support your project/organization to bring in this strength-based approach to community building.