ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

2.5.a. Mapping Associations
(Adapted from Chambers, 1998, by the Coady Institute)
Session Title
Session Objectives
Mapping Associations
Discover the informal and voluntary groups or associations that are
active in a community
Understand the various relationships between these associations
Identify opportunities for collaboration among associations
Duration of Session
Resources
Training Materials
Acquire a tool for mapping associations and their relative importance
60 minutes
Flipchart
Markers
Table of different kinds of associations
Introduction
Associations have three main powers. First, members of associations decide for themselves what is an
opportunity or a problem; they don't need to consult experts first. Second, they share in developing a
plan to exploit an opportunity or solve a problem; they do not leave it to experts to do it for them. And
third, they take action to realize an opportunity, create an initiative or solve a problem. There is nothing
new or revolutionary in this thinking. Associations are the basic tool for empowering individuals,
building strong communities, creating effective citizens and making democracy work in many countries.
This activity will show how facilitators can help community members identify groups and associations
and make judgments about their relative importance to the life of the community. This exercise is useful
because:
• It identifies people who are already organized and what they are doing.
• It shows where the energy is in the community.
• It helps outside institutions understand what motivates people to organize in this community.
• The activity recognizes existing leadership in the community.
• It helps us to think about how existing associations can meet new opportunities.
Instructions at the Community Level
Invite interested community members to a meeting. Include women, men, youth, and elders. Make the
group as representative as possible.
• Ask the community participants to list all the informal and formal associations they are members of.
Describe the role of these associations and list names of the leaders (Note: Sometimes people need
to be reminded of what constitutes an association. You can ask people to list some examples or you
can use some of the examples below (also included in the training materials guide as a hand out).
85