Bottom-up and top-down development: nexus between asset-based community development and unconditional cash transfers

ABSTRACT

This review explores the potential for a conjunction between Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCT) to intensify development outcomes. ABCD is a community-driven, bottom-up development model that focuses on empowering the poor. UCT is a centralised, top-down, income distribution programme critical in alleviating poverty. Following an overview of the principles, main outcomes, and critiques of these two different development approaches, we present how ABCD and UCT could support one another to improve development. We base our theory upon the fact that both methods can work in a synergistic manner and palliate each other's weaknesses.

KEYWORDS:

• International development
• Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
• Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCT)
• Nexus

Acknowledgements

The authors report no financial interests.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Geeta Reddy

Geeta Reddy is a project manager contracting at the UN OCHA. After a career in analysis and project management in the business world, she redirected her career onto the development world and graduated with a Master of International Development from Massey University, New Zealand in 2020.

Guillaume Barbalat

Guillaume Barbalat is a psychiatrist and researcher with international experience from France, the UK, and New Zealand. He has broad experience with immigrants from the developing world where empowerment is crucial to provide effective care to people with mental issues. He is redirecting his career into global health.