ABCD National Tour - Perth

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) is a powerful approach to community development that focuses on discovering and mobilizing the resources that are already present in a community.

When a group of people discover what they have they join together in new connections and relationship they build power. When people become more productive together, they exercise their power to address problems and realize dreams. Together we are better.

This approach recognizes that people learn best how to build “community partnerships that work” successfully by learning from their own experience, by having clear principles of practice, and by learning from the experience of other community builders.

Each workshop is designed for continuous participation over the 2 days through 3 learning phases; step in, step up and step out. 

The workshops will explore and discuss how we intentionally introduce asset and strengths based work as a legitimate and important part of community work. 

Through the workshop participants will learn by: 

• Discussing the principles and philosophy of ABCD 

• Learning practical strategies to find and engage community assets 

• Exploring principles of community organising 

• Exploring how agencies and communities can work together more effectively 

• Building an ABCD community partnership 

Participants will also walk away with multiple, effective participatory tools, practices and processes such as: 

• Asset Mapping 

• Learning Conversations 

• Needs versus Strengths 

• Co-Design & Ideas to Action 

• Angry Hamburger 

ABCD Power Ladder 

This session will be run as follows:

• A team of 2-3 trainers from the training team will be at each event 

• Wear comfy clothes; this is active and immersive learning in action 

• Reach out if you need financial, accessibility or interpretation support 

• Each session will be emergent and subject to change based on participant’s feedback 

• Be prepared to share stories, learn from each other and have loads of fun! 

This workshop is for anyone who wants to explore the power of collective creativity and collaboration with each other and within their communities: 

• Community development workers and engagement leaders, department policy officers and program managers 

• Business leaders, social entrepreneurs, community and not for profit leaders, community organisers, and their teams 

• Next generation leaders and other young activists 

• NDIS directors, team leaders, planners

An important learning is honouring the diversity of economic factors that encourage people to join us. All costs are per person. Booking fees apply at checkout.

The address is listed in the email upon completion of ticket purchase.

Please reach out if finances are an issue. If you are passionate about joining, we want you there!

We're proud to be working with Murdoch University to bring you this 2 day workshop

Your hosts for this event are:

Your facilitators from Jeder for this event are:

Dee Brooks - Through her down-to-earth style, Dee Brooks brings people together in dynamic ways to realise and engage the full potential of their networks and communities. Dee is an Intentional Nomad who has traveled and worked in over 20 countries. Based on two decades of grassroots work, her work has inspired people at hundreds of events and workshops worldwide where she offers community engagement and development training and also provides professional co-design, facilitation and keynote addresses for conferences, forums and events.

Fiona Miller - Fiona is a creative conduit with a diverse back ground that includes community development, creative & visual arts, early years, education, bushfire recovery, inclusion, community houses, community gardens and more. Having worked within a variety of organisations/agencies and local governments she has a broad understanding of the diversity of organisational structures.

As a facilitator, graphic harvester or community member, contributing to community for making great places and participating in community led projects that are sustainable are her focus. She loves nothing more than watching people and projects grow and uses creative arts, ABCD and strengths based practices as platforms for discovering and exploring community futures.

Supporting our young people to explore their own place within community is something she sees as particularly important. Everyone deserves to feel safe and be included and we can build relationships and have fun while we do it.

Harley Ames, Harley is a Community Builder and Facilitator on the Board of Directors at Jeder, with a diverse background spanning dance, high-end hairdressing, and medical governance. Now based in Perth, he brings creativity, leadership, and strategic thinking to his work in coaching and Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), with a focus on asset mapping and project design. He believes meaningful change emerges from within communities and that community development thrives in the “wibbly wobbliness” rather than in straight lines.

Deeply involved in the LGBTQIA+ sector, Harley serves on several boards and committees, advocating for equity, inclusion, and law reform. Committed to continuous learning, he sees every facilitation and coaching opportunity as a chance to grow and adapt. Embracing the Four Fold Practice helps him stay grounded and intentional, supporting his belief that strong communities are built through collaboration, reflection, and tapping into shared strengths.