Workshop on Mapping Community Assets for Sustainable Development

At ArmeniaCorps, we don’t begin by asking, “What does your settlement need?” Instead, we ask, “What strengths already exist here?” This shift in perspective helps communities recognize and connect their assets—transforming existing strengths into solutions.

This approach guided the “Rapid Social Inclusion through Asset-Based Community Development” program on December 22, 2024, during the “Masis Community Resource Mapping” workshop. Participants came together to learn how to identify and map the resources within their communities.

Led by experts Maria Hovumyan and Mannik Sahakyan of IMPACT Solutions Consulting, the workshop introduced participants to different types of community resources, as well as the tools and techniques used in effective resource mapping.

Through hands-on exercises, participants practiced identifying local assets and explored how these could be combined to support sustainable development. With expert guidance, they gained both knowledge and confidence in applying what they learned.

“The workshop gave me practical skills to better understand my community, uncover new opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to its growth,” shared participant Syuzanna Aghajanyan. “Now I can clearly see how existing resources can support future projects.”

With the workshop complete, participants now move into the practical phase—mapping resources within their own settlements. This process deepens their understanding of local potential and helps lay the groundwork for targeted, effective community planning.

By identifying what’s available—and what’s missing—participants not only strengthen existing efforts but also reveal opportunities for future development.

Armenia Corps Development Initiative designed the Rapid Social Inclusion through Asset-Based Community Development Program to promote social inclusion in the Masis community, which includes 26 villages and Masis city. The program brings together 36 local and displaced youth to create localized solutions that foster social inclusion and generate community-level recommendations for better integration.

The program is funded through a Department of State Public Diplomacy Section grant, and supported by the Masis Community Administration. The opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the ArmeniaCorps and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of State.