Our Community Development Framework is now available!
A First Nations’ guide to building strong partnerships working alongside First Nations’ communities in Australia.
We are excited to share our Community Development Framework, this has been a long time in coming!
The development of the framework occurred over a six-month period in 2016. It is based on over 20 years of knowledge sharing between our team and communities. The framework is a living document. The development of the framework has been a journey of ‘two-way learning’ and is a result of working alongside in respectful engagement with First Nations’ communities. Our practice is not static or achievable by working through a list of tick boxes. It is flexible and reflective, where First Nations’ communities influence and direct their aspirations and dreams. This publication brings to the fore our practical approaches to working alongside First Nations’ communities.
Working in partnership with First Nations’ communities on their goals and projects is at the heart of our work.
Our reflective practice
Community First Development works in partnership to support First Nations’ led community development projects, which are defined and implemented by First Nations’ communities, grounded in First Nations’ values and perspectives. We have learnt, and will continue to learn, the value of the interconnectedness of supporting vibrant communities, strong cultures, viable economies, and healthy ecosystems. Our practice involves a dynamic and cyclical process of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting: building and strengthening the knowledge and practice as it relates to First Nations’ agendas. We prioritise cultural safety, through a culturally competent team and organisation. We have seen the power of this approach first-hand through our decades of experience in building partnerships on the ground.
Through the framework, we have taken the time to reflect on lessons learned through our practice and to share that learning with others, foster trust, promote continued commitment, and encourage others to do the same.
What is Community development?
Community development is a process which joins up environmental, economic, social, demographic, technological, political, and other issues by empowering communities to work on their own agendas to improve quality of life. Importantly, it has clear values as its starting point rather than predetermined structures and solutions. This framework outlines the main elements for effective community development. It provides a tool to analyse current contexts and practice. It can be used with people to develop strategic options and make strategic choices about future direction and honours the importance of direct experience, interconnectedness, and relationship with First Nations’ communities. While community development will mean different things to different people, the community development framework is intended to guide and celebrate the planning efforts and achievements of First Nations’ communities.
Download your copy of the framework
Our reflections and our practice are offered with humility as we maintain our dedication to a deep listening and transformative learning practice. We acknowledge the incredible contributions of the ‘heavy lifters’ in our partnership approach: the First Nations’ communities we have worked alongside. At Community First Development, we aim to support First Nations’ communities as they act upon their voices and choices for sustainable, healthy First Nations’ communities. Their success is our success, and they are the key contributors to the development of this framework.
The Community Development Framework is a useful tool for a wide range of audiences, it is a must-read, as it is grounded in practical approaches to nation-building and relationship building with First Nations’ people and communities. Most importantly, it provokes reflection in our own truth-telling and practice.
We welcome you to download your copy of the framework here: A First Nations Approach to Community Development — Community First Development. and please join us at our upcoming webinar on 8 September 11 am - 12 pm, to hear our deadly panel talk on the framework, with very special guest Pat Anderson. For more details and to register here!