What are considered "community assets" in COPAR?

Community assets refer to the existing strengths, resources, and capabilities within a community that can be mobilized for development and improvement. This includes a variety of elements such as local skills, knowledge, networks, and relationships among community members, as well as physical assets like parks and public spaces. Understanding and utilizing these assets is essential in Community Organizing and Participatory Action Research (COPAR) because they foster community empowerment and resilience.

By identifying and engaging these inherent capabilities, communities can work more effectively to address their challenges and facilitate meaningful change. This approach encourages a bottom-up perspective, where local voices and resources are prioritized to achieve sustainable development. In contrast, options that focus on external resources or governmental influence do not align with the concept of community assets, which emphasizes internal strengths and collective capacity.