This paper draws on evidence from several OECD publications and beyond to explore and highlight select examples of successful, child-centred civic learning practices which strengthen the democratic skills, values and knowledge of students.

Following a rigorous and inspiring 12-month co-design journey, Australia has a new shared agenda for a reimagined future for volunteering. This strategy document, co-created by stakeholders from across the volunteering ecosystem, provides a blueprint for the next ten years that will enable volunteering in Australia...

The Department of Communities and Justice (NSW) commissioned the Centre for Social Impact to conduct this evidence review, which examines what community engagement or community development theories, practices and activities have been found to contribute to community wellbeing for vulnerable children, young people and families.

This report analyses real world examples of what is possible in the growing outer suburbs, and highlights benefits from these interventions. The analysis includes a variety of case study projects in outer suburbs, across three categories: economic development, community infrastructure and transport infrastructure.

This draft report poses recommendations and key questions to shape a more community-focused, citizen-centred local governance system in New Zealand. Submissions and feedback to shape the final report are open until 28 February 2023.

This publications outlines the findings from an in-depth case study of one rural community’s experience of settling Hazara people from refugee backgrounds. It provides analyses of secondary data, alongside qualitative empirical research with Hazara individuals and members of the broader Leeton community.

In late 2021, the Salvation Army did a nationwide Social Justice Stocktake to get to the heart of what people were seeing in their local communities. From there, they built a map of social justice priorities across Australia. Instead of just providing the findings, this...

This report introduces the concept of ‘relational local government’ - an approach to local governing that builds strong relationships between council service professionals and the people they are supporting, between councils and the community at large, and between local citizens themselves.

For those that work or volunteer in health, the community sector, government, or any other organisation invested in peoples' health and wellbeing, this resource provides a good understanding of what social connection is, how it works, and some ways that it can be activated.

This case study of the Maranguka Cross Sector Leadership Group offers insights for government and non-government organisations wishing to align policy and resources towards supporting community-led agendas for change. The case study draws on the knowledge and practice of the Bourke Tribal Council through Maranguka...

This report examines trends in social connectedness in Australia and assesses their implications for human wellbeing and development. The findings from this report are intended to increase public understanding around key issues of loneliness and belonging, social inclusion and connectedness, and identifies actionable policies and...

If 'levelling up' is to be seen as legitimate by those it is trying to help, it must meaningfully involve the public in decisions about how money is spent. This report finds that that the public is divided on what levelling up should look like...

Members of Parliament regularly receive inquiries directly, or through their electorate offices, about funding opportunities for community groups. This guide is designed to assist MPs and their electorate office staff to respond to these requests.

This report looks at what is known about the UK government’s priorities for 'levelling up.' Based on the Plan for Growth, Boris Johnson’s levelling up speech in July, and the main policies announced so far, it is clear that levelling up is about more than...

This document reviews the state of current knowledge on the role of community assets in supporting community resilience, recovery and wellbeing, focusing on disaster recovery and resilience building processes. It forms part of the 'Community resilience, wellbeing and recovery project'.

The Australian government is reforming the way employment services are delivered to people living in remote Australia. This discussion paper has been released to invite public comment to help shape the design of a new remote engagement program. This program will replace the existing Community...

Consultations are beginning around the future of social security payments in remote Australia. This discussion paper assesses what has gone wrong with the existing Community Development Program, and argues that Australia needs to consider a more effective, caring and creative approach to supporting the health...

Social connection is a critical outcome of community-based planning and activity given its ability to positively affect health and wellbeing at the individual and community level. This report informs a deeper understanding of key foundations, assets and optimal conditions for social connection within communities from...

The 2009 bushfires in Victoria are commonly referred to as the ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires. This report presents an overview of the key learnings in the 10 years since the fires. The results show a strong individual and community capacity to recover from a disaster experience...

The guidance in this playbook is derived from a pilot initiative implemented in Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Philadelphia between fall 2019 and January 2021. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), in collaboration with national and local funders, supported the implementation of community-rooted economic inclusion in...

Drawing on the contributions of over 50,000 citizens, the landmark report of Renew Normal: the People’s Commission on Life After COVID-19 says that without radical reform to build a stronger, more resilient and more united nation, the UK risks never recovering from the huge social...

This report investigates a study of one refugee community, Hazara Afghans, and looks at the ways the Hazara contribute to and have become a part of the Port Adelaide Enfield area in Adelaide, South Australia.

Volunteers across Australia make a remarkable contribution to their communities. However, last year's COVID-19 restrictions hit volunteering hard. Volunteering Australia conducted a survey at the end of 2020, asking how the sector was faring. This report outlines the findings.

This two-year community engagement and research project found well-developed resilience capacities within CALD communities, with a strong potential for them to enrich disaster management knowledge and practices in wider Australia.