Using Asset Mapping to Engage Youth in Community-Based Participatory Research: The WE Project

Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the Wellness Engagement (WE) community partners conducted an asset mapping study as the first step in a comprehensive needs assessment to identify existing and potential assets that could be used to promote better health.

We used asset mapping as a systematic approach to 1) empower local youth and urban planning students to identify community assets related to physical activity and nutrition and 2) facilitate co-learning between youth and university students to identify assets that could be considered for future pilot interventions that address obesity.

We created five teams of local youth led by an urban planning college student that identified and collated existing and potential assets useful for health promotion.

Existing and potential assets were grouped into 12 categories significant for promoting physical activity and healthy food options. Of the 358 identified, 18% were potential assets. Youth and students reported that the collective process enabled them to see assets and the community with new perspective.

An asset mapping approach that partners local experts (youth) with outside experts (urban planning students) within a larger CBPR framework is an effective model to promote co-learning and appreciating the value of differing expertise.