Building stronger, resilient and creative communities.
MBCI has worked with many Local Government bodies and agencies to develop Strategies and Plans for the future, by engaging with their communities and stakeholders, to ensure that peoples’ voices are heard. This includes communities severely impacted by bushfires that need to recover, rebuild and recreate a sense of place.
The MBCI methodology creates the space and the opportunity to get to the grass roots level to hear the stories, the challenges and dreams that are the glue that holds the residents of towns, suburbs and regions together. In our experience it is easier, especially after a disaster for us as external to the public sector, to come in and listen and gather data, without the pressure of making promises and commitments that government representatives are faced with.
After Black Saturday for example, there was so much anger and distress in many Victorian communities, that it was becoming difficult to run public meetings without disruption and aggression. MBCI facilitators were asked to come in to consult with the community, so that plans and budgeting for the future could be put in place.
Using the same process that we use inside a dysfunctional business setting, we were able to listen to the stories, hear the challenges and help communities to articulate their vision for the future.
Within this scenario, our role was to be the conduit between government and the community. We carried out the qualitative and quantitative research, benchmarking with other, similar sized communities and agencies and reported two ways.
We have conducted over 50 such projects by developing Arts and Recreation Strategies, Thirty Year Strategic Plans, Community Development Plans, Business Case Studies and Business Plans for Community Museums, Theatres, Community Centres, arts organisations and Community Building Committees as well as facilitating a National Creative Recovery Forum.
MBCI has experience in managing complex situations, where there are a number of stakeholders, each with their own agenda and attitudes. It can be a dynamic changing environment but we believe our process works.
It’s not about telling people what’s going to happen Rather it’s about hearing what has happened and walking a journey with them to brainstorm the options to bring realistic opportunities back to the table in a way that creates ownership and excitement. Often in this sector there are unrealistic expectations, but if relationships and trust are built with all stakeholders, then it is easier to gain acceptance and approval for ideas and plans.
We love the challenge and experience of working with people to create a sense of belonging and place.
Please CLICK HERE to read about a Community Business Case in
Marysville and how we helped them
Let’s hear what’s going on for you in your community. Get in touch!