4️⃣Mapping resources

How can we map the resources needed and available for our community-led action?

Before you can bring a community-led action to life, you need a solid understanding of what you have, and what you don’t. This means taking account of your community’s strengths: spaces, data, tools, networks, skills, and communication channels. It also means acknowledging gaps: which competencies are missing? Where do you need support? Getting clear on this early helps you avoid burnout and blind spots later. If certain skills are lacking, such as communication, visual storytelling, or facilitation, you might consider teaming up with creatives or tapping into other local collaborators.

More on that in the next section Working with Creatives.

Why does this matter?

Mapping your resources is not just a planning formality—it’s how you ensure your community-led action is realistic, strategic, and resilient. Without knowing what you’re working with, you can easily overpromise and underdeliver. Plus, understanding your team’s skills and gaps helps you reach out to the right people, build stronger networks, and create more sustainable outcomes. Later in the process, this clarity will help you identify potential partners—like cultural organisations, local governments, or NEB members—and make your case when asking for support.

How can you do it?

The tools shown below will guide you through a clear, structured resource-mapping process. These frameworks will help you visualise what you have, what you need, and who can help. The goal: build a dynamic, interconnected system that reflects your community’s unique strengths and potential. Don’t just think in terms of physical stuff—include skills, relationships, and local know-how. For help connecting with artists and creatives, check the next section on Working with Creatives.

Context Canvases

These help you understand the broader picture—your challenge, the network around you, and the resources your Citizen Observatory already holds. Start with the Challenge and Lab canvases to identify the immediate needs and existing assets.

Toolbox for co-creation Journeys - SISCODE Project (pages 17 and 18)

Ecosystem Mapping

Move beyond traditional stakeholder lists. This tool maps motivations, capacities, and resources—not just who’s involved, but how they can contribute. It helps you design an ecosystem, not just a project.

Ecosystem mapping - Danish Design Center

Skill Mapping

Who brings what to the table? This tool lets you visually map out the skills and competencies in your team. You’ll spot strengths, uncover gaps, and plan how to fill them—whether by training, recruiting, or partnering.