You are welcome to download and share the PDF: What We Are Learning 2010     If you would like to organise your own print run please ask us for the high definition version of the PDF.

We owe a huge thanks to the over 40 individuals and communities actively involved in community-led initiatives throughout Aotearoa who have shared their thoughts and stories with us.

The document also shares a summary of the bigger picture thinking and approaches to societal change and innovation that currently influence our work.

To order hard copies of 'What We Are Learning' 2010

Hard copies are avaiable for $20 each plus GST and postage & packaging.  To order:

• Email your order and invoicing details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Or download and send this order form.

Comments about 'What We Are Learning' 2010

"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... 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...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..."

Click to read the full Review By Genevieve Timmons, Philanthropic Executive and Consultant in Philanthropy (Australia)

"A must for anyone intending to work in community development and any public institution that wishes to change the paradigms by which it works...

"...If we are to build resilient communities then councils need to consider the lessons that have been identified in this paper from Inspiring Communities. Building opportunities for shared decision making at a neighbourhood level will go a long way towards preparing communities not only for emergencies but to manage the day to day challenges that confront all of us."

Click to read the full Review by Michael Reid,
Local Government NZ

"...an extremely valuable record of the development process, articulating the principles and values on which community led development is based. In this respect it is a very authentic publication that is capable of playing an important role in community development education and practice."

Click to read the full Review by Ian Shirley,
Auckland University of Technology

Background to 'What We Are Learning' 2010

A core purpose of Inspiring Communities is to support the learning of others involved in community-led development by sharing what we are noticing, learning and observing. We know this is important because we are frequently asked:

• What’s the stuff that really matters?
• What do we need to keep our eye on?
• How can we tell if change is happening and how can we evaluate it effectively?

We don’t claim to have all the answers, but there is an extensive and growing network of current experience to draw from. In ‘What We Are Learning’ 2010 you will read practical tips, lessons and examples about four aspects of community-led development:

• Community building
• Leading in and leaderful communities
• Working together in place
• Creating and sustaining momentum

We hope you will enjoy, be inspired by and learn from these examples.  We also welcome feedback, ideas and suggestions for what you’d like to know more about and also how useful you’ve find this resource.   Send your comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .