Framework of Change for Community-Led Development

Inspiring Communities aims at fundamental, enduring and measurable change. We have developed a framework with 6 main elements from many conversations and two workshops involving those from 8 community initiatives. The framework is not a formula to be followed without variance, but principles to guide with the freedom to test and develop.

It incorporates elements that people think are vital for vibrant and dynamic communities. It is for trying out, bringing alive, changing and adapting as we learn more from practice in many communities. We are already learning that it is the combination of these components, and the way they combine, that is powerful for creating change.

Community-Led and Locally Driven

• priorities set by those who live, work, care, connect and invest in a local community of place - principle of 'ahi ka'
• communities see themselves as actors rather than recipients
• a community of place focus, place-based
• resident leadership

Work Together – across boundaries and silos

• deliberately develop the "strength of loose ties" or "loose links" among people and sectors that don't normally connect with each other
• create purposeful conversations and ways of working together to build new opportunities, ways of seeing and doing things
• unleash creative solutions, unexpected resources and greater understanding of each other's perspectives - residents, business, government, iwi, funders and NGOs working together within a community of place

Asset/strength-based

• work from the strengths and assets of the people and resources in each neighbourhood and community - not dwelling on, or being overshadowed by, deficits and difficulties
• support catalytic individual leaders or organisations to foster community-led development
• release local resources and find ways to tap new resources

Learning and adapting

• reflect, share experiences and develop case stories
• adapt as each community learns what is most or least effective
• use processes that allow us to both notice and understand complexity - how change in one area impacts on another
• practise new ways of creating and co-creating

Demonstrating Change and Developments - results and solutions oriented

• create and celebrate specific and tangible improvements within each community - identified by each community
• increase connections and participation of multiple sectors - acting together in a community of place

Whole Systems Change

• influencing policy and legislative change, commercial systems, organisational practice, personal, cultural and institutional relationships for lasting impact
• nurturing non-linear and continuous action/reflection and change - change is not one-off