This paper provides an overview of approaches to grant-making for community development in selected countries. It presents a high-level picture aimed to inform the development of a new funding framework for the Department’s Crown funded schemes. The selected countries are Australia, the United Kingdom, and North America (Canada and the USA).
Some trends and key findings are drawn out from the country studies which follow:
- A community development approach to funding schemes is emphasised, in which communities are able to decide on their needs and priorities and lead development initiatives.
- An “investment” approach to community development in a number of countries has the advantage of encouraging a long-term strategic approach to community development.
- The value of organisations making links and working together is recognised in many countries.
- Funding is best when it is flexible, responsive and long term.
- Another common trend is the call from communities and response from some governments to simplify the management and administration of grant funding.
- Sustainability of community goals beyond initial funding period is an increasing focus, and can be helped by developing funding partnerships.
In Australia, most State government funding programmes for communities are framed in the context of the Commonwealth government’s Social Inclusion Agenda. Several elements of the social inclusion approach are equivalent to features we would identify with community development. These similarities include: a focus on grass roots engagement, identifying shared goals and outcomes, building local resources and networks, and projects being community owned and driven.
Indigenous approaches are also discussed, in particular the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). Its Development Plan describes long-term investment in communities which acknowledges that community development takes time. The TSRA has consulted with every community in its jurisdiction and incorporated their aspirations and needs; and checked back with the communities to ensure it has got its planning right and results are being achieved.
A range of funding schemes in the United Kingdom is discussed, in particular the Big Lottery Fund, which is the largest organisation distributing lottery funds. It applies an ‘intelligent funder’ approach: strategic, rather than demand-led, but also responsive to the needs of communities.
The Fair Share Trust provides financial and other support for up to 10 years for selected neighbourhoods in the United Kingdom (selected because they are relatively deprived and do not get their ‘fair share’ of funding of other Lottery sources). The Trust reiterates the importance of a community development approach being well integrated in the funding programme, influencing its design from the outset.
The Canadian section discusses the role of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) – a Federal agency; and also a discussion of the Vibrant Communities initiatives.
'Comprehensive community initiatives’ (CCIs) is a term used in North America and elsewhere to describe targeted community revitalisation strategies. CCIs adopted a comprehensive approach to neighbourhood change and worked according to community-building principles that value resident engagement and community capacity building.