Community Wealth Building For Councils and Anchor Organisations - A course for councils and anchor organisations on local economic empowerment and transformation

This course provides an introduction to community wealth building with a focus on the role of councils and anchor organisations.

Community wealth building is an important local economic and community development approach that lifts whole communities both economically and socially. It changes the way our local economies function to place ownership, control and benefits into the hands of local people; and to ensure the economy genuinely works for all and the environment.

Why is community wealth building relevant for your constituents and your council?

Community wealth building provides practical strategies, tools and solutions that local council, local NGOs, business and community can use
For communities that face economic and social challenges, community wealth building can stop economic leakage, keep and grow wealth locally and build a more stable economy. It can grow more local and inclusive businesses and supply chains that retain, recirculate and magnify local outcomes. It can build capacity among local people and organisations to undertake locally relevant economic development and transform their regions’ economic and social wellbeing, especially through future challenges.
For communities that already have a strong local economy, community wealth building can give residents more control and influence in local economic and social matters, promote economic and social resilience and self-sufficiency, increase individual and community wealth and prosperity, build economic & social equality and ensure the local economy achieves the needs and aspirations of the local community now and into the future.
It has proven to bring real benefits to local towns and people, tangible improvements in economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes, and a growing number of places across the Australia and the world are adopting this approach.
Councils and anchor institutions play an important role in community wealth building. Anchors are large public, commercial, and non-government organisations with a significant presence and stake in the local community such as universities, religious organisations, utilities, ports, hospitals, a large business with strong local links or connection to a community, member-based organisations, financial institutions or other organisations with aligned interests. As large employers, purchasers of goods and services, and owners of land and property, these anchors exert significant influence on the local economy and labour market - they are economic agents. If anchor institutions work together, they can have a transformative effect on the prosperity and wellbeing of their local communities.
Community wealth building can be used progressively to create a future focused leading local economy, or to solve the issues facing your region such as, such as changing economic opportunities, declining populations, unemployment, social disadvantage and more.

Who Should Participate?

This course is designed for council and anchor personnel seeking a foundational understanding in community wealth building and the role of council and other anchor organisations.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the core principles, pillars and approaches that underpin community wealth building
Understand the opportunity and benefit for your region, community and economy
Understand the role different stakeholders play in community wealth building strategies
Understand the role council and anchor institutions can play
Be inspired by case studies from Australia and internationally
Be connected with the Australian network of community wealth building leaders and practitioners

Format and mode of delivery

Delivered online with a facilitator via video-conferencing from 9.30am – 1.30pm.

Topics covered

Introduction to community wealth building
Aims of Community Wealth Building
Community Wealth Building Principles & Pillars
Benefits and impact of community wealth building
History of community wealth building and examples from the US & UK
Emergence and examples of community wealth building in Australia
Strategies and approaches for implementing community wealth building with a focus on council and anchor strategies

Price

$525 (excl. GST)

*Includes online facilitated session and electronic copy of Ethical Fields Community Wealth Building Course Notes.