The newly established national centre, Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE), welcomes today's announcement by the Investment Dialogue for Australia's Children (IDAC) Roundtable.
The ambitious plan will include establishing 'Innovation Zones' and place-based partnerships in up to 50 local communities by 2030. These initiatives aim to empower communities with the tools, support, and data access they need to improve outcomes for children and families.
PLACE will play a central role alongside other IDAC partners in supporting one of Australia's largest coordinated investments in place-based change. PLACE will work hand-in-hand with IDAC partners, including governments, philanthropies, and local stakeholders, to support this vision.
PLACE Interim CEO, Luke Craven, said today's announcement was a pivotal moment for place-based collaboration in Australia.
"The Innovation Zones offer an unprecedented opportunity to co-design and trial cutting-edge approaches that address each community's unique challenges and strengths. These zones will test and demonstrate the systemic reforms we need to create lasting, positive change."
"Creating a target of 50 local communities by 2030 is a bold and necessary commitment to supporting local solutions at scale. This initiative focuses on aligning investment, fostering partnerships, and enhancing access to high-quality, community-level data to support communities to drive their own change."
"Empowering communities to lead is at the heart of place-based collaboration. Over the next six years, these 50 local communities will demonstrate the transformative potential of place-based approaches and the strength of collaborative leadership and innovation."
"PLACE looks forward to working closely with IDAC and local partners to ensure today's announcement translates into real outcomes that change lives for a generation of Australian kids.".
About us:
PLACE was established in late 2024 through a long-term partnership between the Australian Government and philanthropic funders, including the Minderoo Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF), Ian Potter Foundation, Dusseldorp Forum and the Bryan Foundation. See www.placeaustralia.org f
