assess

Participatory research centers the community as experts to support in mapping available resources and needs. Participatory research requires those at the frontlines to be in the driver’s seat as experts of their own experiences that can help inform both the challenges and potential solutions. This process should not only gather community information but also expand organizing to build collective power. Building shared political education developed before, or as a part of this process, aligning shared values, vision, and goals. Participatory research requires us to critically frame our research question alongside community rather than an outside approach.

tools

Click to read: Community Needs assessment guide by Loyola University. Image description: protest sign that reads "fighting for our future" with a hand drawn tree

Community Needs Assessment Guide

Loyola University

Click to read: Assessing Community Needs & Resources by Community Toolbox, Kansas University. Image description: Protest sign that reads "there is no planet b"

Assessing Community Needs & Resources

Community Toolbox, Kansas University

Click to read: Environmental Justice mapping by Center for Earth Energy and Democracy. Image description: protest sign that reads "climate justice or riot." climate justice is written in green and riot is written in red

Environmental Justice Mapping

Center for Earth Energy and Democracy

reflection

  • How are you leading from strengths and an assets-based approach when you survey your community?
  • Who from your community is conducting the asset mapping and community assessment? How are you supporting youth leadership in this process?
  • What skills has your community identified as critical to support their efforts to advance their strategy and solutions?
  • How have white supremacy and racism negatively impacted your community and what assets and strengths does your community have to dismantle white supremacy?

    • Next Steps!

  • Identify the community’s strengths and assets. Messages of scarcity and deficit are part of the structural violence caused by an unequal and unjust distribution of power. Part of the assessment process must reframe and ground community members in a different and often erased reality. By naming the skills, resources, land, ideas, knowledge, experience, and stories held and by the community, we start from a place of assets and strength. Shift the false narrative that communities most impacted have little or nothing to offer. Starting from a place of asset, you must also identify the growth areas and gaps that the community, and external partners, needs to fill to be successful. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis may be a helpful tool here.
  • Identify the barriers to achieving your strategy. Focus on the opportunities that can be leveraged to win.
  • Who are trusted partners that you can rely on to support your work? When taking stock of your community, you may have gaps and needs that go beyond your capacity. Identify what needs you have in this assessment and survey to find potential allied partners who can be trusted to support your work while centering the community’s leadership and voice.

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