MRC’s Community Capacity Building is funded by the Department of Social Services to equip and empower new and emerging organisations and communities. The program assists groups to work towards collectively increasing the social participation, economic and personal well-being of community members to ensure that positive settlement outcomes are sustained in the long term.
The aim of this activity is to build the capacity of communities to be self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian society. Services and initiatives will be developed with the groups and vary according to their organisation’s life stage.
Community Capacity Building provides assistance to community groups on an as needs basis to access community resources and facilities to support their capacity to self-organise. Types of services expected to be delivered will be determined based on the needs of each group under the following four main streams:
- Leadership and governance;
- Interaction with government and local stakeholders;
- Linkages to broader community;
- Access to resources and facilities.
Training is provided, for example in Leadership Skills and Governance as well as mentoring to community leaders.
Development of project management skills are given in ethno-specific community groups and organisations with a view to sustaining such groups and organisations in the longer term.
In addition, support in the development of administrative and operational skills, including applying for and managing government funding, reporting requirements, record keeping and financial accountability requirements for government grants.
These key elements provide the basis for Community Capacity Building and an excellent example is the creation, development and management of the Harmony Day event and celebrations held every year on 21st March. ‘
Find out more
If you, or your community group, are interested in accessing support or resources through the Community Capacity Building program, please contact us.