By Célia Franquet, 3ni coordinator
At 3ni, we know our network is full of busy people delivering vital work. We also know that these people hold a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight that too often stays contained within individual organisations. That’s why we’re creating a dedicated space for our members to pause, connect with the bigger picture, and learn from others who are also deep in this work.
Our Learning Community is that space, a place to gather, reflect, and learn alongside others who get it. Not a training session, not a conference, but a living, breathing community of practice where real conversations lead to real insight.
Ealire this month, we brought our Learning Community together for the first time.
In this session, we delved into the fundamentals of what an asset-based approach to community development actually looks like. Not the technical definition, but how it feels in practice. What made the conversation especially rich was the mix of people in the room, from local government officers to colleagues from other institutions and community-led organisations, giving us the chance to really explore this from all angles.
So what does an asset-based approach look like in practice?
Relationships are everything
This will come as no surprise to anyone who has spent time working in communities. Your biggest asset is having feet on the ground, meeting people, creating connections, and letting those connections do the work. That’s how knowledge, resources and ideas get shared, trust is built, and duplication is avoided.
Honesty is a non-negotiable
When working with communities, there’s an element of straight talk that has to happen. Not everything can be done, and no single organisation can do it all. Building a different kind of relationship between communities and institutions is a two-way street – I’ll organise the clean-up and spread the word, but you and your neighbours need to show up, because this is your space to look after.
Institutions aren’t always ready for it
In a world of outcomes and return on investment, it’s not always easy to say you don’t know what the outcomes will be, because the community will set them. This is where leadership matters. Having backing and direction from the top can make all the difference.
Consultation fatigue is real
Many communities have been consulted over and over without seeing any change. So when organisations arrive saying they want to hear from residents, distrust and apathy are a natural response. Community development workers need to invest time into talking to people, having lots of cups of tea, and slowly rebuilding trust. Which brings us back to relationships.
It works
That’s the heart of it. This approach takes time and resources, and it isn’t always easy. But change does happen, whether that’s an individual who grows into their volunteer role and turns it into a career, or a community where the playground is better, more people use it, and residents feel genuinely happier. We just have to be brave enough to commit to it.
Want to find out more about our Learning Communities programme? Head over to our events page to see what’s coming up and secure your place today.