Community Capital
Public Learning Series
Learn how to shape capital to build stronger, fairer communities and economies
About the public learning series
Community Capital is about creating more place-based, community-led and inclusive approaches to community and economic development — where more people can participate in, influence and benefit from the activities in their own communities.
This includes generating sustainable sources of funding and income, strengthening local ownership and governance, establishing local enterprises and services, being able to invest in what matters, building more equitable distribution of value, and supporting communities to become more self-reliant and resilient over time.
The public Community Capital Learning Series is an online option available to all.
The program combines interactive learning, applied exercises, real-world examples and connection with a growing network. Topics are relevant to a wide range of areas including community development, economic development, social impact, sustainability transitions and resilience.
Join one session, a few, or the full series — whatever suits your learning goals and context.
Who this is for
This Learning Series is relevant for anyone working in, alongside or in support of community and economic wellbeing — whether at the place level, in collaborative roles, or shaping systems and strategy, such as:
Community organisations, local leaders and practitioners
Councils and regional development agencies
Social impact, place-based collaboratives and intermediaries
Philanthropic foundations and funders
State and Federal Government agencies
Corporations and industry partners
No prior experience is required.
Why you should participate
Australia needs better ways of building community prosperity, equity, resilience and wellbeing — and Community Capital offers a practical, scalable pathway.
Many of the challenges communities face — from housing affordability and economic insecurity to climate transition and inequality — are shaped by how capital is created, controlled and distributed. This includes things like natural assets, buildings, businesses, industries, institutions, skills, money and investment — and how the value they create is governed and shared.
Across the country, communities are seeking ways to strengthen local prosperity, influence and connection. At the same time, governments, funders, industry and intermediaries are seeking the same and recognising the limits of business-as-usual approaches.
Community Capital makes visible the strategies, structures and solutions more place-based, community-led and inclusive approaches to community and economic development — where more people can participate in, influence and benefit from the activities in their own communities.
Developed and refined through several years of facilitation across Australia, this Learning Series offers a structured, practical pathway to access these solutions.
For communities and local practitioners — build the confidence and capability to address your local issues and turn your ideas into reality.
For collaborators (government, funders and intermediaries) — build your capacity to create enabling policies, programs and investment approaches that strengthen community and economic wellbeing.
For private sector and industry partners — explore inclusive business models, partnerships and services that create shared value with communities.
How it works
Interactive online sessions facilitated by experienced practitioners
Join one session, a few, or the full program to suit your goals and context
Each session combines practical frameworks, case studies and applied activities so you leave with insights you can use immediately
Small-group learning — participant numbers are limited to keep sessions interactive
Stay connected — participants are invited into a growing national network to continue conversations, exchange insights and hear about future opportunities
Learning topics, structure and schedule
The Community Capital Learning Series is modular and structured around the essential functions of capital. These functions shape how our communities and economies operate. They influence how assets, resources and relationships are created, accessed, owned, governed and exchanged — and how value and benefits flow over time.
When you understand these functions, you can begin to shape them. You move from reacting to capital systems to actively influencing them — whether your goal is affordable housing, stronger local businesses, economic participation, sustainability transitions, regional resilience, or long-term community wellbeing.
Each module explores one core function in depth, combining foundational understanding with practical application. You can join one session, a few, or the full series — whatever suits your learning goals and context. The modules include:
Understand Community Capital — the fundamentals.
Generate Community Capital
Access Community Capital
Own Community Capital
Govern Community Capital
Pool Community Capital
Invest Community Capital
Exchange Community Capital
Use Community Capital
Regulate Community Capital
Redistribute Community Capital
Manage Community Capital Risk
Collaborate on Community Capital
For more information about these topics visit our Areas of Support and Learning pages.
Participation and pricing options
Full Learning Series
What’s included:
Access to all 13 Community Capital modules delivered across the year
Session materials and practical resources to support ongoing application in your context
Access to the national Community Capital Network for ongoing connection and exchange
Price
Individual (self-funded): $2,600
Community / small organisation / NFP: $3,200
Organisation / corporate / government: $3,800
Registering for the full series provides a discounted rate compared to purchasing individual modules, making it the most cost-effective way to participate if you’re looking to build depth, capability and momentum over time.
If you require a full or partial subsidy, please register your subsidy interest here. We are seeking support from philanthropic and funding partners to make participation more accessible and will be in touch as opportunities become available.
Individual Modules
What’s included:
Participation in your selected module session
Session materials and practical resources to support ongoing application in your context
Access to the national Community Capital Network for ongoing connection and exchange
Price
Individual (self-funded): $260
Small organisation / NFP: $320
Corporate / government / funded professional: $380
If you require a full or partial subsidy, please register your subsidy interest here. We are seeking support from philanthropic and funding partners to make participation more accessible and will be in touch as opportunities become available.
How to register
Full Learning Series
June 2026 - March 2027
Access to all 13 Community Capital modules delivered across the year.
Registering for the full series provides a discounted rate compared to purchasing individual modules, making it the most cost-effective way to participate if you’re looking to build depth, capability and momentum over time.
No prior experience is required.
Understand Community Capital
3 June 2026
Start here. This session introduces the foundations of community and place-based capital — what it is, why it matters, and how it underpins local wellbeing. Communities learn about how to build the conditions for more community-led and inclusive development; enablers learn how to design policies, programs, and partnerships that support them.
No prior experience is required.
Generate Community Capital
24 June 2026
Explore how communities can create new sources of funding, assets, and value to support local priorities — through enterprises, infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation. Communities learn practical ways to generate capital locally; enablers learn how to create environments, incentives, and investment structures that make local generation possible and sustainable.
No prior experience is required.
Access Community Capital
22 July 2026
This session explores how to make capital more accessible and better aligned with community priorities. Communities learn to identify and connect with local and external sources of funding, assets, and investment. Enablers learn how to open pathways, reduce barriers, and design funding mechanisms that reach and empower communities.
No prior experience is required.
Acquire & Own Community Capital
12 August 2026
Ownership determines who benefits from assets and development. Communities explore how to acquire and own key assets — such as land, enterprises, housing, and infrastructure — to retain value and control locally. Enablers learn how to design supportive frameworks, financing models, and partnerships that help communities build and sustain ownership.
No prior experience is required.
Govern Community Capital
26 August 2026
Good governance ensures that capital serves shared purpose. Communities learn inclusive, transparent, and collaborative ways to govern and manage resources. Enablers explore how to strengthen community decision-making through policy, capacity-building, and co-governance arrangements that ensure accountability and shared benefit.
No prior experience is required.
Pool Community Capital
16 Sept 2026
Pooling brings people, organisations, and resources together for collective impact. It’s about combining what already exists within a community to create greater shared capacity and strength. Through pooling, communities can coordinate effort, share responsibility, and mobilise capital for shared priorities. Enablers play a vital role in helping these efforts take shape by creating the conditions, structures, and support that make collaboration and shared investment possible.
No prior experience is required.
Invest Community Capital
14 October 2026
Investment turns resources into progress. Communities learn how to direct local and shared capital into projects that deliver social, environmental, and economic returns. Enablers learn how to design co-investment models, impact funds, and procurement frameworks that strengthen community-led investment and long-term prosperity.
No prior experience is required.
Exchange Community Capital
28 October 2026
Communities and collaborators learn how to trade, share, and exchange assets, ideas, and resources to strengthen local systems. Communities explore collaboration, resource sharing, and trading mechanisms. Enablers learn to design fair markets, partnerships, and exchange platforms that connect local strengths with broader opportunities.
No prior experience is required.
Use Community Capital
14 November 2026
This session focuses on how capital is used in practice to deliver outcomes that matter — from services and infrastructure to housing, enterprises, and community initiatives. Communities learn how to apply and steward capital effectively to meet local needs and priorities. Enablers explore how to support productive, purposeful use of capital through program design, service delivery, and investment approaches that maximise long-term community benefit.
No prior experience is required.
Regulate Community Capital
9 December 2026
Regulation shapes how capital flows, who can participate, and what is possible. Communities learn how rules, policies, and regulatory systems influence their ability to generate, access, own, and use capital — and how to navigate and influence them. Enablers explore how to design and adapt policy, regulation, and compliance frameworks that enable community-led development while ensuring accountability, fairness, and good outcomes.
No prior experience is required.
Redistribute Community Capital
20 January 2027
Redistribution ensures value flows back into communities. Communities learn how to reinvest profits, surpluses, and social value in ways that sustain long-term prosperity. Enablers learn to design benefit-sharing frameworks, reinvestment mechanisms, and funding policies that embed fairness and equity across systems.
No prior experience is required.
Manage Community Capital
10 February 2027
Managing community capital is about the practical realities of looking after assets, resources, enterprises and investments over time. Communities build understanding of how to sustain initiatives over time, while enablers explore how to support effective place-based management.
No prior experience is required.
Collaborate on Community Capital
3 March 2027
Partnerships between communities and external actors can amplify impact when based on shared purpose and mutual respect. Communities learn how to co-design, co-invest, and co-own initiatives with partners. Enablers explore how to structure collaborations that align their capital, expertise, and influence with local leadership and community wellbeing.
No prior experience is required.
