Our Approach Our People Partners
With our people. For our people.
 
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our approach

The Community First Development approach to working with First Nations communities is based on the principle of self-determination. Communities right around Australia invite us to create partnerships with them so that they can achieve great things for their communities.

We meet together to listen, yarn, plan and connect skilled volunteers with the community to get things done. Projects are always determined and led by community.

We are driven by the need for a better world
for all First Nations people; to work with all cultures for recognition, respect, and the right to be treated and valued with equality.

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WE Do it right.

 
 

Community Development

Our framework is a cycle of understanding, engagement, genuine co-design, delivery and reflection. It is an evidence and strength based approach, built on 20 years of experience working alongside First Nations people and communities.

Story of Change

This is the theory we work to. When we hold self-determination at the heart of all we do, First Nations people lead the way in creating more for youth, stronger economic and education outcomes, safer communities and stronger healthier lives.

Participatory Monitoring
& Evaluation

Making sure we deliver on what communities are asking is a top priority. We monitor and evaluate all projects using a participatory approach. Communities tell us what success looks like in the short term, and the long term. We then work closely with communities to track progress towards these goals.

 
 

STORIES OF CHANGE & PRACTICE

Stories
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XTRA MILE TRANSPORT - ESSENTIAL TRANSPORT FOR A REMOTE COMMUNITY
Evaluating with Littlewell Working Group
Evaluating with Littlewell Working Group

The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) undertaken with the Littlewell Working Group in 2014-15 was one of the first examples for Community First Development of applying the participatory approach and new monitoring system to co-design short and long term indicators of change with communities, monitor them throughout the project cycle and assess effectiveness at the end.

Evaluating with Kungkas Can Cook: passion, dedication and clear social purpose
Evaluating with Kungkas Can Cook: passion, dedication and clear social purpose

Kungkas Can Cook is a café, catering and bush foods business based in Alice Springs, specialising in ethically sourced, organic bush food from the Central Desert.