Asset Mapping for Climate Justice
Movements begin with individuals and small groups taking action for change. A capacity building tool called asset mapping is one tool that allows the small to accomplish mighty things by working together, sharing resources, and leaning on each other’s strengths.
The US Climate Action Network (USCAN) is a network of organizations that is building trust and alignment among members to fight climate change in a just and equitable way. Several of these organizations including Sustaining Way, Care About Climate, People’s Justice Council and Southeast Climate and Energy Network are coming together to amplify and practice this mission by developing an asset map.
WHAT IS IT?
An asset map is a tool that allows a network of nonprofits, for example, to share resources amongst their organizations in an organized way. This team of organizations is starting with Google My Maps to display the data for this current asset mapping project for the US Climate Action Network and Southeast Climate and Energy Network.
Care about Climate and other organizations used a survey to identify their unique areas of focus and the resources they are able to share that they think will be valuable to other organizations. Every organization will have their own pin on the map to show their location and assets they are willing to provide. This asset mapping process will allow the sharing of resources across USCAN in order to more easily collaborate to achieve loftier, unified goals.
In order for an organization in the network to efficiently provide their individual resources, this team will gather information from key stakeholders within each organization. They’ll use a survey and provide a framework that is unique to the network’s mission by structuring and sharing resources in a meaningful way.
WHY?
Nonprofits often develop out of a passionate individual’s need to take action. We see a need going unmet in society and feel we have the power to create something to meet that need. This happens throughout the globe. By combining our passions, strengths, and efforts and pooling resources, we can accomplish much more than by soldiering on alone and recreating elements that others in our possible networks are already doing effectively.
In short, if we’re working toward the common and vast goal of global culture and policy change in order to maintain a livable planet Earth, we should be working together. Asset mapping is one tool we can use to accomplish this.
In addition to sharing strengths and working as a team, having an updated asset map means that you have a quick reference guide to all the strengths and skills that you have access to when planning initiatives and new endeavors. It is better than a phone book (what’s a phone book? the children may ask) and even better than spending hours on Google or Ecosia reading about nonprofits and organizations you might collaborate with. A well maintained asset map does all the research for you. It provides you with a robust database of team members ready to collaborate with you on a variety of topics.
If you still end up needing to do further internet searching for resources, make sure to reach out to have what you’ve learned added to your network’s asset map. That way the next time someone needs what you’re looking for, they are able to find it. It’s a team effort.
Below follow some topics that Care About Climate can offer guidance, support and collaboration on:
Community engagement
Advocating for policy change
Board development
Leadership training/mentorship
Translating
Developing online course modules
Supporting grassroots and local sustainability initiatives
Climate initiatives from an equity lens
This post was written by Alissa DeLaFuente in collaboration with Kali Llano.
To learn more about Care About Climate’s participation in asset mapping for climate and sustainability networks, reach out to Natalie Lucas at nrlucas@careaboutclimate.org. Go here to support the work!