In this episode of The Truth About Local Government, we explore a bold new resource reshaping how councils think about community development: ABCD & Beyond: A Practical Guide for Local Government.

Matt is joined by two of the book’s authors, Dee Brooks, Director of the Jeder Institute and International Liaison for the ABCD Institute, and Lee Griffiths, community development practitioner, facilitator and systems bridge‑builder. Together, they’ve helped shape Asset‑Based Community Development practice across Australia and internationally.

This conversation dives into what ABCD is (and what it isn’t), why councils struggle to shift from “problems to possibilities,” and how hierarchy, risk and process shape community‑led work. We explore the eight core values of ethical ABCD practice, the difference between genuine co‑design and performative consultation, and the practical steps councils can take to embed ABCD in real‑world systems.

If you’re committed to working with communities rather than simply delivering services to them, this episode offers a roadmap, and a challenge, for what local government could become.

#LocalGovernment #ABCD #CommunityDevelopment #StrengthsBasedPractice #PublicSector #LocalGov #CommunityLed #CoDesign #Inclusion #SystemsChange #PlaceBasedWorking #Councils #PublicService #TruthAboutLocalGovernment