Owning Place Based Capital - For Communities, Local Organisations and Collaborators

A practical learning session in community asset ownership

Communities across Australia are seeking greater ownership of the assets that matter most—land, buildings, local enterprises, infrastructure, and more. They're also seeking greater control over development and services in their regions, from renewable energy to housing, food systems, digital infrastructure.

And many are succeeding. More and more communities are retaining vital assets, taking a stake in major projects, and establishing ownership models that keep long-term benefits local—supporting community wellbeing and strengthening the local economy.

This practical session is designed for community members, local organisations and collaborators (government, impact organisations and others) who want to understand how to acquire and own the assets that serve the community's goals. Whether you're just beginning or already exploring ownership strategies, this session will build your confidence and capability to move from idea to ownership.

You’ll learn how asset ownership can strengthen community resilience, economic self-reliance, and long-term prosperity. We’ll introduce the practicalities of how communities and organisations can acquire and own assets.

We’ll share stories of how it’s already happening, from community-owned enterprises to shared facilities and place-based infrastructure. And you’ll walk away with clear examples of what’s possible, tools to explore ownership models and pathways, insight into what makes community asset ownership work and fresh ideas and a network of others on the same journey.

The insights shared in this session can be applied to a wide range of opportunities, from saving key local assets and businesses, to acquiring land and buildings, creating community enterprises and renewable energy projects, partnering with external enterprises and fostering small businesses.

In this session, you will:

Gain an overview of Place Based Capital: Learn the core values, functions, and the role of ‘owning capital’ in a place based capital system.
Understand the fundamentals of acquiring and owning assets: Steps such as identifying, financing, acquiring and owning capital.
Understand why ownership matters: Learn the value of community ownership and how it contributes to a stronger local economy and greater community control.
Explore ownership models and pathways: From land and buildings to local enterprises and infrastructure—understand the different ways to structure and share ownership.
Learn how to strengthen your readiness: Understand the key conditions and capabilities that help organisations and communities successfully own and manage assets.
Explore real-world examples: Gain inspiration from communities that have successfully owned local capital in different ways.
Apply strategies and solutions to real-life examples: Apply these strategies to your community’s goals and challenges, those you are working with and/or to explore sectoral and issue-based applications.

By the end of this session, you will have a structured framework to explore how to create opportunities to own capital and grow place based capital, empowering communities to meet today’s challenges and thrive in the future.

Who should participate?

This session is tailored for a broad audience and provides valuable insights that apply across different sectors:

Community members and leaders: Discover how owning local assets—like land, buildings, businesses, and services—can help meet local needs, build resilience, and create lasting opportunities for your community. And gain the knowledge to activate it!
Community organisations: Discover practical strategies to acquire and own local assets that will drive community-led initiatives and long-term impact.
Councils and government representatives: Understand how enabling community ownership can deliver stronger economic, social, and environmental outcomes—and explore policy and partnership roles that can make it possible.
Economic and community development professionals: Gain tools and strategies to foster greater place based capital asset ownership, create economic opportunities, and create thriving local economies.
For-purpose, philanthropic, and social impact practitioners: Understand how place based asset ownership supports equity, inclusion, sustainability, and transformational social change, and learn ways that you can support it.
Developers and investors: Discover how you can create opportunities for local people to hold an ownership stake in your projects, and in doing so, deliver meaningful returns to communities.
Anyone curious about community ownership: Whether you’re working on a specific project or just exploring what’s possible, this session will help you understand how place-based asset ownership can transform the future of local communities.

How does it work?

Interactive Online Sessions: This series is delivered online, allowing you to engage with others across Australia. Each module offers interactive opportunities, with discussions, group work, and collaborative learning that ensure a dynamic and engaging experience.
Co-Learning Environment: As a participant, you’ll not only learn from the content but also from your peers. This session emphasises co-learning, where you’ll be part of a shared journey that expands the body of knowledge, strategies and solutions. Through collective insights, discussions, and shared experiences, you will help shape and build on the growing understanding and practical implementation of place based
capital.
Broad Audience Appeal: Designed to benefit anyone involved in community building, economic development, social impact, or other areas of relevance.
Flexible Engagement: You can participate in this session on its own or continue through the series to deepen your knowledge.

What’s included?

Practical and interactive sessions, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, discuss and apply what you learn.
This session blends theoretical insights, case studies, and hands-on activities to ensure you take home actionable knowledge that can be applied in your community or organisation.
A certificate of completion for each module to acknowledge your learning.
Ongoing connection through the Place Based Capital Network LinkedIn group, where you can keep the conversation going, exchange insights and stay updated on future opportunities and initiatives.

Cost

This module is priced at $250 (excl.GST)

Subsidies are available upon request for those in need. Discounts are available for individuals that participated in the Place Based Capital Program 2023-24.

Please contact the pbcp@ethicalfields.com to discuss subsidies and discounts.

Register today and take the first step towards building a capital system that works for local places and people!

Have you completed our Fundamentals of Place Based Capital?

We highly recommend it! The Fundamentals module provides the perfect foundation you will need to build your confidence to engage with this and other more in depth place based capital topics.

About the Place Based Capital Learning Series

This session is part of the Place Based Capital Learning Series. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies that communities need to activate and manage local capital. We will cover everything from foundational financial concepts to the practical steps communities can take to identify, generate, govern and use local funding, assets, enterprises and services for their benefit.

For more information about the series visit www.ethicalfields.com.