Participatory Asset Mapping is a process where community members create asset maps by identifying and providing the information about their own community’s assets on a map. It is an important tool to recognizing human capital and the capacity of individuals to use their own talents to create positive structures in their communities.
- In advocacy and Policy: mapping the availability or lack of community assets can present a powerful tool when trying to support policy changes.
- In community outreach: mapping may be use as a way to help visualize the networks of service organizations, neighborhood associations, and other groups that exist to serve the community. These new connections can serve as a means to outreach to a wider span of the community to further strengthen community resources.
- In community organizing: by involving the community members in the creation of asset maps, the process itself can be an organizing tool.