The REthink Nillumbik program is funded by Nillumbik Shire Council and supported by Edendale Community Environment Farm and NECAH (Nillumbik Environment and Climate Action Hub). The project will be delivered by Going Green Solutions and supports Council's climate action goal of net-zero community emissions by 2035.

Start your own community sharing project

Want to start a community project, but not sure where to begin? Keen to get a clothes swap, repair cafe, seed library, or food share started in your street, school, or organisation? Community sharing initiatives are fabulous local resources that foster resilience and empower people to create their own change. They're easy to start, foster a spirit of generosity, and can bring people and communities together.

In this session, you'll learn how to start a sharing initiative in your community. We'll look at different types of sharing initiatives and what’s involved in getting them off the ground. Absolutely all community members are welcome, including those with an existing idea for a project and those interested in doing something in the future.

After the session, interested Nillumbik residents will be offered FREE one-on-one mentoring support to help them explore their idea or set up their own community initiative. Mentoring will include detailed advice about potential audiences, project collaborators, required skills and resources, funding streams, marketing and promotion, engaging volunteers, and more.

It can be daunting to start a sharing project on your own, so we're here to guide and help. The more sharing resources available in our area, the stronger we'll be as a community.

Topics include:

types of sharing initiatives – repair cafes, swaps, libraries of things, seed libraries, community gardens, Food is Free, potlucks, LETS programs, free-goods sites, street libraries, community composting, skill share sessions, Boomerang Bags, and more
planning and organising a project
engaging and exciting others in the process
the 'tears and cheers' of running and maintaining a community project
finding your tribe and collaborating with others

Who is it for?

This program is for anyone interested in helping others or creating a more resilient and connected community. It’s for people who already have an idea for a community project but need help getting it off the ground, as well as those who want to do ‘something’ in their community, but aren’t sure what type of project might suit them.

Additional info

This is an adult-focused session not suited to young children. Children over 12 are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
The session will be held indoors.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event environment for all attendees. If you have accessibility or inclusion concerns regarding this event, contact us about how we can help.

About the REthink Nillumbik Project

The REthink Nillumbik Project is a series of fun, interactive workshops to create a more sustainable and liveable Nillumbik. Sessions include a range of activities to help local residents reimagine our collective approach to energy and waste.

REthink events are collaborative, hands-on, and can help people take small actions that can lead to serious, positive change. They include practical demonstrations, creative activities, and simple ideas for rethinking everyday choices and behaviours. We want you to leave each session feeling motivated and empowered to make change. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come!

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