At the core of the ABCD Institute's (ABCDI) mission is providing workshops and training to those who want to learn more about Asset-Based Community Development. Check out our training schedule
here.
Our courses include modules on the principle of institutions leading by stepping back. We encourage organizations to uncover the gifts, skills and talents of their local community members in order to move their programming forward. Rather than merely providing services and programs, we encourage organizations to provide administrative support to lift up local leadership and genius.
Upcoming Trainings
- February-March 2026 for Africa Based Practitioners
We are currently setting the rest of our 2026 training schedule with both virtual and in-person opportunities, including tentative plans for:
- February March 2026 Essentials Training
- 4 -7 PM Central US Time over 6 weeks
- In-person Essentials Training Midwest
- June Essentials Training
- September/October Essentials Training
- 9am-12noon Central US Time over 6 weeks
Online and In-person Offerings
Our approach to training is based on telling stories, time for practitioners to learn from each other in small groups and forming a learning community over our time together.
3-Hour Overview training: These 3-hour sessions are offered to groups and individuals to provide an overview of ABCD concepts and the key components. Offered in person and online.
ABCD Essentials: We generally hold three to four virtual workshops each year with 18 hours of class time broken up into multiple sessions. In-person opportunities are typically held over 2-3 days. These are held at varying dates and times to accommodate a variety of schedules.
These training are dynamic workshops introducing the core principles and applications of ABCD in the context of local communities. They're led by experienced ABCD Institute facilitators. Presentations and discussions occur in light of current conversations about belonging and social justice and enable participants to think deeper about responses to these challenges. People who seek an introduction to or refresher of ABCD in the context of local geographic communities will learn:
- How can my organization more actively support the concerns and efforts of local people?
- How does a community move toward a wider circle of people working together to realize goals?
- How do I make ABCD work in my neighborhood?
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Beyond the Essentials:
Over the past few years, the ABCD Institute piloted a more advanced version of our trainings focused on a deeper dive into ABCD. These are usually offered once per year. Additionally, training can be tailored for participants that want to learn about ABCD within the context of their sector (faith, rural, etc.).
Our workshops are priced on a sliding scale. We also offer a limited number of partial scholarships each session. If you want to attend our workshops, we want you there!
An alternative choice to an official ABCD Institute training is to tap into the assets of our numerous ABCD network members who conduct ABCD focused workshops on a regular basis. If you have an audience, a venue, and the ability to organize a workshop or would like someone for a key note address for a conference, the Institute can put you in touch with a range of Faculty members for you to work with in creating your own event. ABCDI network members have a range of expertise and are located across the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
You can subscribe to our email list or visit our events calendar to learn about upcoming ABCD Institute trainings and workshops. You can also contact us via connect@abcdinstitute.org for more information.