Landmark gathering unites 200+ leaders to strengthen partnerships and expand the proven ABCD approach.
On January 13, 2026, over 200 development leaders convened for the second national ABCD conference, signaling a major push to embed community-driven growth across Ethiopia. The event, a collaboration between the Coady Institute, the National ABCD Steering Committee, and WISE, brought together a powerful mix of community practitioners, government officials, NGOs, academics, and media.
Unlike traditional development models that focus on needs, the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach unlocks a community's own strengths, skills, and resources. This approach promotes lasting progress while guaranteeing that community members drive and direct their own path of development.
This high-level conference served as a critical platform to strengthen national partnerships and create a clear action plan for scaling ABCD. The broad participation and agenda underscore Ethiopia's growing commitment to making community-driven development a cornerstone of its national progress.
Key Conference Participants Included:
- Representatives from international and local NGOs
- Government officials and duty-bearers
- Media professionals
- Academic institutions
- Community leaders & Coady graduates
- ABCD training-of-trainers (TOT) facilitators
- WISE regional staff