Stronger Places, Stronger People
Stronger Places, Stronger People is a community-led, partnership initiative designed to improve the lives of children and their families.
There is significant government and philanthropic investment in a number of communities experiencing disadvantage across Australia, yet positive changes have often been limited. Recent events, including widespread drought, bushfires and the global coronavirus pandemic, have presented additional challenges for communities.
Most experts agree that no single policy, government department, organisation or program can solve the complex problems facing most children and families living in communities where disadvantage is concentrated. Ongoing engagement with a community to assess its strengths, needs and existing investment is required to make informed decisions that are driven by the community. This approach can allow real change to be enacted.
Stronger Places, Stronger People is overseen by the Australian Government in partnership with state and territory governments and 10 communities across Australia. It seeks to disrupt disadvantage and create better futures for children and their families through locally tailored and evidence-driven solutions to local problems, in partnership with local people.
A unique feature of collective impact is the shared commitment to a local strategy by communities, governments, service providers and investors, with shared accountability for planning, decision-making and results.
The Australian Government committed up to $35 million to the first 5-year phase of the Stronger Places, Stronger People initiative until 30 June 2024. A further $64 million has been committed over 6 years to 30 June 2029 to extend and enhance the existing partnerships under the initiative. There is also significant investment from state and territory governments and in some cases philanthropic organisations.
Stronger Places, Stronger People has commenced in 10 communities. These include:
Several factors are considered when selecting partner communities, including:
Stronger Places, Stronger People communities receive funding to support a local project team (‘backbone team’) in each community. The backbone team facilitates:
The backbone team works with, and is accountable to, a local community leadership group, supporting the community in developing and implementing their tailored strategy and plan of action.
Communities also receive funding for capacity building support, which is provided to enable local backbone teams to develop the skills and expertise necessary to implement community action plans.
The Stronger Places, Stronger People National Leadership Group was established in 2019 as an advisory body for the initiative. The National Leadership Group was convened to drive and shape the strategy and approach to implementing the initiative.
The National Leadership Group brings together leaders from communities, business, philanthropy, academia and service delivery, along with Special Advisors from the Commonwealth and state/territory governments.
Learn more about the National Leadership Group.