Community Building Initiatives bring communities together
Small rural communities have long shown the pride and the strength that comes from having a common purpose and a shared love of where they live. When community members come together the strength of collective action can be extraordinary.
The Victorian Government’s Community Building Initiative (CBI) brings residents, businesses, government and local organisations together to think about and set the priorities of their community and then together they work to make the projects a reality.
Through CBI, over 100 towns across Victoria have opened up job and learning opportunities, revitalised facilities, improved services and enhanced community spirit. Each community has put in a huge amount of work toward building partnerships, setting their goals and working together to achieve them. Seeing their projects come to life has built community confidence and momentum, which in turn leads to new opportunities and ideas. The result is strong, resilient communities which are better able to manage their future development.
Thousands of community members have become involved; contributing to their local projects to generate positive benefits for themselves and the surrounding areas.
Project highlights range from the development of wetlands in Dimboola to establishing business networks in Kinglake, and from setting-up historical societies in Edenhope to retaining pier facilities in Corinella; each project identified as a priority by the community involved.
The Minister for Community Development, Peter Batchelor said the CBI provides practical support to get local people involved and have a say about the things that matter to them.
“Getting community members actively involved in decision-making builds leadership skills and gives them confidence to continue to establish partnerships, source funding and work with government,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The results that have already been achieved show how a keen community spirit and an attitude of cooperation can bring about changes and benefits people can see and touch in the places they live.”
Find out more about CBI:
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