Building community & driving change in local government

Like many others who have found themselves in the dynamic world of local government, the idea of working for a local council wasn't something that crossed my mind as a young person entering the workforce. Armed with an honours degree in political science and a keen interest in humanitarian issues I had imagined for myself a career where I might work overseas in the field of international development. A role with an international organisation like the United Nations or the International Organisation for Migration where I could apply my commitment to social justice to engage in meaningful work on issues of global importance.

As I reflect on the last fifteen years I have spent working in local government, I'm struck by the irony of where I have landed. Quite a significant departure from the road to Geneva, though in many ways local government has provided exactly what I was seeking. Platforms for driving change and opportunities to engage with issues of global significance, learn about different ways of being human and work with others to make a difference.

So what is it about local government that attracts those of us who are passionate about building community and driving positive social change?

From grass roots work to systems change

Being the most connected tier of government to community, local government offers the opportunity to work across a massively broad spectrum of social change work. From the daily interactions we have with individual residents through services such as libraries and youth centres, to the strategic advocacy work we engage in to address systemic barriers that prevent communities from reaching their potential, local government offers the community development practitioner the opportunity to contribute to positive social change on many levels. We work on the micro issues that make a big impact on individual lives as well as the macro issues that shape the societies in which they live.

Whilst the constant need to balance hands-on and strategic work can be challenging for those new to community development work it is also what makes local government the perfect playground for learning the tools of the trade. I believe those who actively lean in to this space have unparalleled opportunities to develop nuanced understandings of community, the diversity of human experience within it, the ecosystems that sustain collective action and the levers that can be pulled to solve problems or drive change.

Moving beyond transactional relationships

In many spheres of community work it can be hard to move beyond transactional relationships that form around short term projects or services that meet a need at a particular point in time. In other tiers of government the institutions are so far removed from the day-to -day reality of community life. This can make it incredibly difficult for well-meaning professionals to build authentic relationships with the communities they serve. Being embedded in a local community and having influence over the hard and soft infrastructure in that locale, provides local governments with the opportunity to develop deep and longstanding relationships with its community.

For me personally it is this opportunity to forge strong, enduring relationships that has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of local government work. Whilst the opportunity is there for the taking, its important for us to recognise that the strength of any relationship depends on our commitment to collaboration and the degree to which we authentically engage others in decisions that impact on them. When we get this right we can create strong bonds that can be activated to achieve some great outcomes for community.

Access to resources that support community led change

Community development at the hyperlocal level involves providing practical hands-on support to facilitate, amplify and accelerate community led change. We get behind our communities, supporting them to achieve their goals, building connections between those doing the doing to amplify their impact. Unlike many organisations, local governments are fortunate to have a range of tools and resources at their disposal that can be drawn upon to support community led efforts. This can include among other things, access to space, equipment, funding, specialist skills, connections and political influence.

When a local governments uses its resources to effectively play the role of facilitator, enabler and connector in community the increased in capacity for collective action can be immense. Communities are more connected, have increased access to resources and are better positioned to leverage opportunities and withstand the challenges that come their way.

We work at the intersections

Local governments are perfectly positioned to recognise and work with the intersectionality that exists in community. Unlike services that are centred around narrow 'target groups', local governments are there for everyone regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, ability or the way in which they've arrived in our community. This capacity for a wholistic approach positions local government as the ideal partnership broker, with community development staff frequently bringing players together to solve a problem that may cut across intersecting aspects of individual and community identities and experience.

I have really valued the opportunity to work across a diverse range of portfolio areas in local government including youth, multiculturalism, reconciliation, access and inclusion, families to name a just a few!

And that's a wrap for now....

This week as I prepare to close off this career chapter and move onto the next, I feel immensely grateful for the learning opportunities that the sector has provided and the privilege of working alongside many inspirational community leaders, community development workers and everyday heroes who are striving to make the world a better place.