An integration of the livelihoods and asset-based community development approaches: A South African case study

Abstract

This study provides an integrated framework and practice model of the sustainable livelihoods (SL) and the asset-based community development (ABCD) approaches. A household survey of a rural village in South Africa is used as a basis of analysis to demonstrate the application of the integrated approach. The results elucidate the vulnerability of the people and a range of interlocking and multi-dimensional factors contributing to poverty in the community. The results also show people's assets, capabilities and activities which enable them to cope and survive despite constraints and shortcomings. It was found that the integrated SL/ABCD framework is a useful framework to understand the strengths of a vulnerable community in order to plan and implement sustainable community development strategies.

Operational challenges faced by smallholder farmers: a case of Ethekwini Metropolitan in South Africa

“…Although government has, over the years, been actively involved in funding smallholder farmers through cooperatives, a new perspective should be taken for future funding projects. Nel (2015) suggests an asset based community development (ABCD) approach, as opposed to interventions based on poverty analysis. According to Nel (2015), the ABCD approach comes handy when trying to establish the strong attributes of a vulnerable community during planning and implementation of sustainable community development programs.…”

“…Nel (2015) suggests an asset based community development (ABCD) approach, as opposed to interventions based on poverty analysis. According to Nel (2015), the ABCD approach comes handy when trying to establish the strong attributes of a vulnerable community during planning and implementation of sustainable community development programs. The ABCD approach seeks to make the livelihood of community members more sustainable by strengthening their assets.…”

“…Development interventions, however, focus on areas where community, members lack (Nel, 2015). Another advantage of the ABCD approach is that, in the long run, the burden on the government is lessened as farmers become more self reliant (Nel, 2015). 2.…”

Combining Bio-Cultural and Asset Based Approach Towards Sustainable Utilization of Catchment Resources

“…As observed, the dynamics occur as a result of the fact that man-nature interaction is facilitated by anthropogenic assets, institutions and governance such as community assets [24]. The Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach has been used by a number of scholars such as so as to understand how these community assets facilitate the dynamics between mannature interaction [49][50][51][52][53]. The current review believes that a combination of ABCD and biocultural approach will elucidate the dynamics that occur in the catchments as a result of human action, and understand how communities are resilient to these changes at individual and collective levels.…”

“…Because of the patentability of the ABCD approach, ABCD principles are frequently integrated with a complementary concept or framework to create a unique approach. Two very recent examples are from [52,53]. According to [52] work explores the potential relationship between ABCD and community-based tourism, with the goal of improving community-based tourism's inconsistent record in delivering community development.…”