Caption: Local musicians joined Perth Symphony Orchestra musicians onstage at the Green Shoots Moora concert in 2024.

Opinion

Communities

The village still matters but it’s becoming rarer.

Unlocking civic and community participation: understanding what really makes communities thrive.

by Penny Dakin

We often hear that it takes a village to raise a child. In some communities, that’s still a lived reality where neighbours pitch in, children are surrounded by care, and everyone has a role to play.

But we also know those communities are becoming rarer. Disconnection is rising. And the conditions that support trust, participation and belonging are under pressure.

At Minderoo Foundation, we believe those conditions matter. That’s why we’ve launched a new research initiative – Activating Civic and Community Participation – to better understand what helps people feel connected to their community, and what enables them to actively take part in strengthening it.

Exploring the conditions for connection.

Strong communities don’t just happen. They’re shaped by their environment, by trust, safety, shared purpose and the opportunity to engage. When people feel connected to their neighbours and have opportunities to participate, everyone benefits. This project is about understanding what makes that possible, and how philanthropy can help.

Together in partnership with the Centre for Public Impact, The Good Shift and The Behaviour Change Collaborative, we’ll look closely at the conditions needed to drive social connection and community participation, and what gets in the way.

We’re especially interested in how philanthropy can support the conditions for long-term, community-led change. That means understanding what already works, identifying where the gaps are and building a shared, practical language for action.

“This is an opportunity to deeply understand the conditions that enable people to contribute to their communities. By working across disciplines and perspectives, we can generate insights that not only inform philanthropy but also help communities shape their own futures.”

- Thea Snow, Director, Centre for Public Impact

A crowd of people, mostly sitting in camping or outdoor chairs, are smiling and applauding. In the centre of the image, a pair of older women have amusingly brought along a bright red chaise longue instead of a more casual chair. It is night time, and in the background, hay bale walls can be seen, lit up pink from below.

Caption: Green Shoots Moora brought the community together for a night of music under the stars.

Understanding disconnection to rebuild belonging.

We’ll draw on lived experience, research and real-world examples to examine how civic participation links to community wellbeing especially for children and families.

“We will identify the contributors to escalating disconnection and unpack those conditions that support active participation and in turn, improve health outcomes for children and families.”

- Luke van der Beeke, Founder, The Behaviour Change Collaborative

This work connects directly with our broader Communities strategy, including the Early Years Partnership and our focus on cultural vibrancy and local systems.

Backing the civic infrastructure that makes it possible.

This work will help us and others in the philanthropic sector invest more effectively in the foundations of civic life. It’s about moving beyond funding individual programs and instead backing the deeper social infrastructure that enables communities to thrive.

This isn’t just about identifying challenges. It’s about finding solutions that make a real, lasting difference. We want philanthropy to fuel the right shifts, ones that lead to stronger, more engaged communities. This research will provide critical insights into how philanthropy can play a catalytic role in fostering a sense of belonging and civic engagement, which are central to vibrant communities where children and families can thrive.

A view of a stage set up outdoors, surrounded by hay bale walls. This photo is taken from the perspective of the audience, some of whom are already sitting and some who are setting up for the outdoor concert.

Caption: Community members of all ages gathered for the Green Shoots Moora concert in 2024.

Learning as we go.

With work starting earlier this year, we expect to move into 2026 with a clear understanding of the practical tools, frameworks, and strategies that help communities connect and thrive, with regular updates and shared learning along the way. Our aim is not just to produce findings, but to shape a broader, cross-sector conversation about what it takes to create strong, participatory communities.

We’ll also explore opportunities to translate insights into early demonstration projects, working alongside communities to test and apply what we learn.

“Participation happens when communities feel a sense of agency and connection. This research is about uncovering the conditions that make that possible and ensuring philanthropy plays a role in fostering environments where everyone feels they belong.”

- Dr Ingrid Burkett, Co-Director at The Good Shift

Why this matters.

I’m proud to be part of this work and excited by what it could mean for how we support children, families and communities across Australia. If we want lasting change, we need to understand what helps people participate, belong and lead in their communities and how we can support those conditions to thrive.