Who We Are
We work by
invitation only.
What we’ve learned,
we share
For more than 25 years, we have walked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to create lasting, transformative change. We work to put tens of thousands of years of collective wisdom into action.
As a First Nations–led community development and research organisation, self-determination is at the heart of all we do. First Nations communities already hold the leadership, solutions and ideas — our role is to support community-led solutions.
Across Australia, we back the aspirations of First Peoples. Our team provides community development expertise and connects partners with skilled volunteers who help bring these ideas to life.
From business and strategic planning to architecture, marketing and website development, as well as diversifying income and resources, Community First Development is guided by our community partners’ priorities from beginning to end.
Our Senior Community Development Officers and community partners work together at the speed of trust, taking the time to build relationships, to yarn, to learn, share stories and plan.
Every partnership follows our four guiding principles:
By Invitation only: Community invites us to be part of a project, and we take the time to listen, yarn and understand what’s important.
100% community-driven: Direction, decisions and outcomes sit with the community. Projects are designed, led and carried forward by community.
Practical support: We focus on practical support that builds on what is already strong and working in community, building on strengths, skills and knowledge that’s already in place.
Proven impact: Our approach has worked over time because it is built on relationships, trust and community leadership, not just a one-off project delivery.
With decades of experience in community development and research, we’ve continually shaped ways of working, grounded in listening deeply to First Peoples and returning this knowledge to community.
Our work is guided by two key approaches shaped by First Nations ways of working: our Community Development Framework and Right Way Evaluation. They keep First Nations-led, participatory approaches at the centre and support change that is meaningful and keeps self-determination at the heart of all we do.