Community Capital
Public Learning Series
Learn how to shape capital to build stronger, fairer communities and economies
About the public learning series
The public Community Capital Learning Series equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to activate capital in ways that strengthen community and economic wellbeing. It is designed for people working to create stronger, fairer communities and economies — and who recognise that capital plays a critical role in shaping these outcomes.
In this series, capital refers to the assets, resources and relationships that shape everyday life. This includes things like natural assets, buildings, businesses, industries, institutions, skills, investment — and how the value they create is governed and shared. Participants gain clarity about how capital functions and how to shape if to deliver long-term wellbeing for all — whether at a project, organisational or systems level.
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 focuses on shaping the systems that influence everyday outcomes — creating the strategies, structures and capabilities that enable people and places to understand and steward capital in ways that build long-term wellbeing for all.
Developed and refined through several years of facilitation across Australia, this Learning Series offers a structured, practical pathway to build that capability.
For communities and local practitioners — build the confidence and practical approaches to generate, retain and steward local assets, resources and value.
For collaborators (government, funders and intermediaries) — design more 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 series 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
Optional drop-in sessions for deeper discussion, questions and peer learning
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 — (Date TBC)
For more information about these topics visit our Areas of Support and Learning pages.
Participation and pricing options
Full Learning Journey (12 months)
What’s included:
Participation in a 12-month guided learning journey alongside a cohort of peers
Access to all 13 Community Capital modules delivered across the year
Optional monthly drop-in discussion sessions for deeper learning, questions and peer exchange
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
Small organisation / NFP: $3,200
Corporate / government / funded professional: $3,800
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.
The 2026 Learning Series will proceed subject to minimum enrolment numbers.
Individual Modules
What’s included:
Participation in your selected module session
Access to the related discussion session for follow-up learning and questions
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.
The 2026 Learning Series will proceed subject to minimum enrolment numbers.
How to register
Full Learning Journey
April 2026 - April 2026
Participation in a 12-month guided learning journey alongside a cohort of peers. Access to all 13 Community Capital modules delivered across the year
Understand Community Capital
20 May 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. Participants will learn how capital shapes local prosperity. Communities learn to see and strengthen their own capital systems; enablers learn how to design policies, programs, and partnerships that support them.
Generate Community Capital
17 Jun 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.
Access Community Capital
15 Jul 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.
Acquire & Own Community Capital
19 Aug 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.
Govern Community Capital
16 Sep 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.
Pool Community Capital
21 Oct 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.
Invest Community Capital
18 Nov 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.
Exchange Community Capital
16 Dec 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.
Use Community Capital
20 Jan 2027
Regulate Community Capital
17 Feb 2027
Redistribute Community Capital
17 Mar 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.
Manage Community Capital Risk
21 Apr 2027
Every capital system carries risk — financial, environmental, operational, and governance-related. Communities learn to identify, manage, and mitigate risks that could threaten assets or initiatives. Enablers explore how to share and reduce risk through supportive policy, underwriting, insurance, and joint accountability frameworks.
Collaborate on Community Capital
Date TBC
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.
