This course introduces participants to a variety of tools and methodologies for participatory needs assessment in the context of poverty. The goal of this course is to develop and apply the fundamental needs and assets assessment skills necessary for a career in international development. The following topics will be covered:

1) An overview of Poverty, Social Change, Participation, and Asset-Based Development (including the importance of an Asset-Based approach in sustainable development; types of assets, including social capital); 2) An overview of participatory methods, tools, techniques and strategies applied in Asset Based Development activities. 3) Managing, leading, and encouraging participatory identification of needs and assets: how external facilitators interact with local participants and other stakeholder groups; the political context and power relationships. 4) Country and sector specific discussions of needs and assets identification: education, health, democratization and governance, environment, gender equality, human rights are some sectors to be examined.

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

a) Understand the different definitions of Poverty, the context of Poverty, and Participatory Development in conditions of poverty and Asset Based Community Development.

b) Learn, present and apply Needs Assessment tools.

c) Analyze needs assessment case studies and understand their social and political context.

d) Be able to conduct Needs Assessment in professional settings.