NRCF CEO, Sam Henderson, reflects on the recent Australian Disaster Resilience Conference held in Sydney.
Building a More Robust Social Infrastructure for Resilience and Regeneration
In early September, I participated in a panel discussion on Learning And Systems Change For Innovative Community Funding Models, with the Monash Fire to Flourish Program team and their community partners, at the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference. I see a future where our community funding models and social infrastructure is strong, resilient, and central to the regeneration of our communities. The vision is about creating the conditions where communities can thrive, especially in times of crisis or uncertainty.
For many years, we’ve seen countries like Canada and New Zealand excel in building sophisticated community-based structures. These structures act as a foundation for social and economic well-being, enabling communities to respond quickly in times of need while planning for long-term prosperity. Here in Australia, we have the opportunity to do the same by consciously investing in social infrastructure—particularly through building what might be called “community capital”.
What is Community Capital?
Community capital goes beyond financial resources. It includes a range of assets—financial, social, intellectual, and relational—that are place-based, community-owned, well-governed, and locally informed. Imagine pools of financial assets held not by governments or corporations, but by communities themselves. These assets, whether in the form of money, knowledge, networks, or trust, are ready to be mobilised for immediate needs as well as longer-term preparedness.
Communities are often better informed about their needs than anyone else. With well-structured community capital, they can make decisions that directly affect their futures, reducing reliance on government funding. When capital is in the hands of the community, there’s a greater sense of ownership, accountability, and responsiveness to the real-time needs of local people.
Proven Effectiveness of Community-Led Models
We’ve seen the effectiveness of these models in action, particularly through the work of community foundations like NRCF and organisations like the Cobargo Community Bushfire Recovery Fund. In times of disaster, these organisations can mobilise resources quickly and efficiently, delivering help where it’s most needed. Not only do they act faster than government agencies in many cases, but they also understand the local context and long-term implications of the solutions they deliver.
By being embedded in the community, organisations like NRCF have a better grasp of local needs and can conduct thorough, long-term due diligence. This level of understanding allows for more effective disaster response and preparedness, ensuring that resources are allocated wisely and have a lasting impact. This is exactly what an investment in strong social infrastructure could deliver across the board.
The Limitations of Government-Led Approaches
Currently, we see a lot of investment in social infrastructure from the government. New agencies are being created, teams are being formed, and capital is being poured into various funding buckets. While this is commendable, it’s also fragile. All of this investment is subject to the whims of political change. A shift in government or policy could see these investments paused, restructured, or even completely dismantled.
Moreover, government investment tends to be focused on disconnected projects—small trickles of competitive funding that may or may not be sustainable in the long run. These projects are often focused on short-term goals and don’t always fit together into a coherent, long-term strategy for community resilience.
The Durability of Community
What is truly durable, however, is the community itself. Communities are always there. They are locally informed, aware of their own needs, and possess unique solutions that fit their particular context. This local knowledge is invaluable in both crisis and everyday scenarios. That’s why, if we are serious about building more resilient systems, we need to move beyond short-term government-led initiatives and toward the development of community-held asset pools.
At NRCF, we’ve proven that during and after disasters, community-led organisations can act quickly, efficiently, and effectively. But we can do so much more. By consciously and deliberately investing in community-owned assets, we can ensure that the resources needed to respond to future challenges are always available and ready to be deployed.
A Call for Collective Action
As we look ahead, building robust social infrastructure will require collaboration between governments, community organisations, and private investors. But the ultimate goal must be to empower communities to take control of their own futures. This means more than just financial investment; it requires trust, partnership, and a commitment to long-term resilience.
If we can shift our focus to building community-led social infrastructure, we will create the conditions for a stronger, more resilient society—one that is equipped to face the challenges of the future with confidence and capability. Let’s make this vision a reality by investing in what truly lasts: community itself.