Each Community Builders Program focuses on a specific geographic region and works with a cluster of between six and ten communities. The communities are each represented by a ‘Community Team’ of up to six people. During Stage One these ‘Community Teams’ meet once a month for six months to participate in ‘Cluster Muster’ learning and cross-region networking events. These gatherings aim to:
- Enable shared learning, conversation and networking about community opportunities, challenges and ideas for future directions;
- Enhance awareness of available resources and inspire new ways of thinking about those resources; and
- Facilitate discovery of the diversity and interconnections of the local region.
Following the six-month ‘Cluster Muster’ experience, communities are invited to participate in Stage Two where the program moves from learning to action-planning. Through Community Opportunity Workshops (C.O.W.s), each ‘Community Team’ invites their wider town community to participate in a series of asset-mapping and priority-setting activities, including workshops, focus groups, and surveys. This process leads to the formulation of a ‘Community Action Plan’ which reflects the town’s aspirations and outlines a strategic direction.
Stage Three sees ideas turned into action as the towns begin implementing priority projects from their Community Action Plan, supported by Rural Aid.
with the Community Builders