A review of “What we are learning about community-led development in Aotearoa New Zealand”, published by Inspiring Communities

Reviewed by Genevieve Timmons, Philanthropic Executive and Consultant in Philanthropy

"This report is a gift to every trust and foundation wanting to understand community led development, and to be more strategic in how to invest philanthropic dollars to strengthen communities.  It is widely understood that any effective progress for people, regardless of their geography, is accelerated when they lead their own advancement. (Paris Declaration OECD Development Co-operation Directorate 2005).  While this message has been received by many grantmakers, the question of how to facilitate and help build this leadership has remained a challenge.

What We Are Learning is timely and rich in what it offers - a wealth of ideas, facts and stories to illustrate why and how people can work together to advance their communities; how they make plans and share dreams, what types of leaders are successful and how to cultivate leadership, pitfalls and risks for everyone involved, smart ways to recognise community assets and resources, and how to optimise the value of each unique community profile.  Most important are the outcomes, the opportunities and vitality generated from a community led development approach, which are the legacy of the work.  The insights available in this report are a powerful guide for contemporary philanthropy, and serve as a tool to ensure that the benefit from funding lands where it is intended, and that communities are stronger, more vibrant and fairer as a result of their grants.

Grantmakers in Australia have also received the publication with interest and enthusiasm. 

The Inspiring Communities team is to be congratulated for its work in both rolling out the Inspiring Communities initatve, and bringing together such a valuable resource for New Zealand.  The NZ trusts and foundations who have invested in this work are also to be congratulated for their visionary support, which will no doubt result in enduring benefits for many communities in the years ahead.

About Genevieve Timmons (from Philanthropy Wiki Australia)

Genevieve is recognised internationally for her expertise in philanthropy, grantmaking and social investment. Early in her career, Genevieve was the founding staff member of the CERES Project in Brunswick, before moving into the philanthropic grantmaking sector. She draws on three decades of wide and deep engagement with foundations and trusts, as a leader and facilitator of social development. Extensive networks inform her policy analysis and research both in Australia and internationally, particularly New Zealand.