Scaling Localism (Auckland)

Join leading innovators in philanthropy, tech, and community development for an evening of bold ideas, live demos, and energising conversations. 

Together, we’ll explore how new tools are helping communities and funders work more closely and transparently—unlocking new levels of trust, efficiency, and local impact. This event builds on the momentum already underway across the sector, showcasing how participatory funding, real-time data, and community-led collaboration can take trust-based philanthropy to the next level.

Whether you're a philanthropist, a foundation, an impact investor, or simply someone passionate about meaningful change, this is a chance to see what's possible—and what’s already happening.

What to Expect

Join us explore new forms of funding:

• We’ll share the research, architecture, case studies and lessons learned over the last few years in the UK, Australian and NZ.
• Interactive session — you’ll get to explore new forms of community governance and funder / partner funding mechanisms
• Q&A, Networking & nibbles — connect, share and learn with like-minded funders, technologists and changemakers

You can look forward to conversation, energy, creativity, and real collaboration. Let’s reimagine a new system together.

Schedule

• 3 to 3.30: Arrival and networking
• 3.30 to 4.10: Presentation
• 4.10 to 4.40: Interactive demo / groups activities 
• 4.40 to 5.15: Discussion / Q&A
• 5.15 to 6: Networking / discussions
• 6: Designated bar to carry on the conversation

The Wellbeing Protocol

Starting as a Government-funded research project, The Wellbeing Protocol is now a social enterprise with a mission to scale localism. 

Over the last four years the team has run successful trials across New Zealand, Australia and the UK (including Tane Ora and Regen Melbourne) supporting the distribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars of community microgrants. Last year they were accepted into the SOCAP Global fellowship program and presented at the Philanthropy Australia conference and Ethereum Devcon in Bangkok. 

Presenter

Mark Pascall is a social entrepreneur and systems thinker with a background in technology, decentralised governance, and holistic health. As co-founder of The Wellbeing Protocol, he’s leading the charge to reimagine how funding flows—shifting power from institutions to communities. Mark previously founded BlockchainLabs, was The Executive Director of Blockchain NZ, and developed New Zealand’s first university course on DAO governance. He has presented at two parliamentary select committees, at over 50 conferences in 10 countries and featured in a TVNZ documentary. His article "A new approach to philanthropy – Creating a Wellbeing Economy" was published by Philanthropy Europe last year.

For the Wellington event - click here