National Centre for Place-Based Collaboration (Nexus Centre)

Introduction

The Australian Government engaged a Foundation Partner to undertake work over 2023-24 to inform a potential National Centre for Place-Based Collaboration, also known as a Nexus Centre.

The Nexus Centre is envisaged to be an independent, non-government entity to support more inclusive and effective place-based partnerships between communities, governments, the non-government sector, business, and investors. It will recognise that place-based approaches differ and the ‘right’ approach reflects the needs and local arrangements that work best for that community.

Background to the Nexus Centre and early phase work

Over the last few years, stakeholders have identified a need for a national entity to advocate for and facilitate place-based collaboration in Australian communities.

The Department of Social Services (the department) undertook initial consultations with communities, philanthropic experts, the Australian Government, and state and territory governments. A discussion paper was developed based on these consultations outlining the broad requirements for a grants process to engage a Foundation Partner.

In 2022, the department undertook an open competitive grants process to select the Foundation Partner. A consortium of partners, including the University of Queensland, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, and Collaboration for Impact, were announced as the successful applicant.

The Foundation Partner

The Foundation Partner undertook two key activities to inform a potential Nexus Centre. The first activity was a design and consultation process to explore the demand, opportunities, needs and barriers to place-based change, and how a Nexus Centre could add value to the work already being undertaken by a range of different stakeholders.

This process informed a proposal to government outlining the potential scope, role, functions, service offer, governance, funding arrangements and future work plan of a Nexus Centre. A prospectus setting this detail out was provided to the department on 11 December 2023 and is currently being considered by government.

The second activity included the design and testing of community supports that a Nexus Centre could deliver to support current and emerging place-based initiatives. 

Consultation on the design of a potential Nexus Centre

The Foundation Partner undertook a design and consultation process from May to September 2023. This process informed a proposal that the Foundation Partner delivered to government on 11 December 2023 for consideration on whether and how to fund a Nexus Centre.

The Foundation Partner explored and considered:

  • The needs of different stakeholders working in place-based and community-led change.
  • The opportunities of a Nexus Centre and the barriers that establishing a Nexus Centre might address.
  • How a Nexus Centre might work in partnership with and support other activity in the sector.

Over 200 consultations were conducted as part of this process via a range of opportunities including one-on-one interview style conversations, larger group meetings and workshops, and written submissions.

A diverse range of stakeholders with an interest or stake in place-based change were represented in the consultations including:

  • Community representatives;
  • People with lived experience;
  • Backbone teams;
  • First Nations representatives;
  • Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations;
  • Community organisations;
  • Non-government organisations;
  • Philanthropic foundations;
  • Peak bodies;
  • Service providers;
  • Place-based change practitioners and intermediaries;
  • Australian, state, territory and local government representatives;
  • Corporate sector organisations; and
  • Academics and researchers.

Resources to support place-based work

The Foundation Partner has undertaken two projects in collaboration with stakeholders for the second part of the grant activity to deliver resources that can be used to support place-based work. These two projects have culminated in:

  • A place-based approaches to employment blueprint which outlines different models that recognise the contribution that place-based initiatives can make to local employment and skills outcomes. The Foundation Partner worked with a range of stakeholders to explore place-based employment work and to co-design the models.
  • A data needs and capability blueprint that captures the data needs of place-based community-led initiatives and their partners, with a focus on Commonwealth-funded initiatives. The blueprint is intended to inform how the data capability and literacy building of place-based initiatives can be better supported.

Key Commonwealth agency partners and other stakeholders were closely engaged with throughout the projects and in the development of the blueprints.
The blueprints were provided to the department in June 2024, and a way forward is being considered in the context of Government’s consideration of the final prospectus.
The Foundation Partner grant activity ended on 30 June 2024. As such, the role of the Foundation Partner in undertaking foundational work on a Nexus Centre has come to a close.

What does place-based mean?

Place-based approaches are about local people, government, service providers, and other stakeholders working together towards a shared vision to create a thriving community. They rely on teamwork, shared decision-making, and everyone being accountable for positive change.

Place-based approaches:

  • focus on the unique situation of a particular place,
  • include local people in decision-making, and
  • use strategies tailored to the community's needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Place-based approaches work best when:

  • the focus is on fixing the entire system, not just specific programs or services,
  • local people are empowered to take part in decision-making and actions, and
  • all stakeholders are open to experimenting with new ideas.

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