Our Work in Australia

Creating an inclusive community

Australians embrace a society where everyone has a voice and a fair go.

But too many people feel over consulted with little action resulting. This is particularly true among aboriginal communities, refugees and immigrants. And creating an inclusive community recognizes that place-based efforts must be rooted in community context and one size definitely doesn’t fit all.

Thanks to our amazing partners throughout Australia, we've already trained over 300 Public Innovators to Turn Outward, engage their communities, and develop more impactful initiatives and programs. We are working across Australian sectors—government agencies, NGOs, foundations, associations and the private sector—to provide the tools and a fundamental approach to addressing shared challenges and strengthening communities.

Our training and coaching initiatives are data driven. We have an evaluation process and competency model to track progress. And we build customized solutions to tackle special challenges.

We have over 30 years of experience working with NGOs around the world. Now, as our work is Australia is spreading quickly, we are building in-country capacity to support our efforts. Our Australian and global coaches come from a variety of sectors and bring decades of experience.

Getting Started Online Community Innovators Lab

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is partnering with Social Planet to provide its signature Community Innovators training online to organisations across Australia. The Lab will take place over six weekly sessions starting Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

The Lab is for those who are interested in genuine and sustainable change for good:

NGOs working in and alongside a community, community members and activists, leaders of community-based programs, participants in collective impact initiatives, social entrepreneurs.
Local councils who want a better way of engaging their communities and unlocking their civic potential.
Government departments that fund place based/community led initiatives.

Learn more and register